By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

H.L. Bourgeois spoiled East St. John’s home opener on Tuesday, defeating the Wildcats 4-1.

Bourgeois scored the first three goals of the game in the first half, putting the Wildcats in catch up mode.

“We were kinda flat to begin the first half,” said East St. John Coach Paul Dupuy. “In the second half we fought back, but we don’t have the chemistry yet that we need to have.”

One highlight for East St. John (4-4) came at the 17-minute mark of the second half, as Terrance Crushfield’s goal cut the Wildcats’ deficit to two. Crushfield’s first attempt was blocked by the goalkeeper, but he stayed with the shot and scored as he followed the rebounding ball.

But Bourgeois would effectively end any comeback hopes six minutes later, with its fourth and final score.

“Everyone was fired up after (Crushfield’s goal), but that fourth goal deflated us,” said Dupuy. “We allowed too many easy goals, and we need to improve our fundamentals.”

East St. John’s Michael Watson said that his team has seen deficits before and is always capable of coming back.

“There’s no reason to slack off after falling behind. The first two goals mean nothing when there’s 50 minutes left,” said Watson. “Usually after falling behind everyone loses spirit, but this team has come back from three or four down before.”