Soccer Finds Breakthrough Goal in 1-0 Playoff Win Over Crusaders
The first stop on the road to the state finals may, in the end, be the hardest. Only time will tell, and time is one thing the Jesuit High School (JHS) soccer team managed quite successfully in its 1-0 regional playoff victory over district rival Brother Martin (BM) on Wednesday night.
The No. 2 Blue Jays (20-0-5) hosted the No. 15 Crusaders (9-6-3) for the second time at John Ryan Stadium. The teams had met there in late January in the district title match that Jesuit won, 3-0. The teams had also faced off at a neutral site in late November, the start of the regular season, and finished in a draw. Of course, for this playoff match both teams were fully aware that the winner advances to the quarterfinals. With so much at stake, both teams played their hearts out and competed as if it was their first time together on the same pitch.
The first half consisted of both teams scrapping to gain supremacy and trying to keep possession of the ball. Neither team created any quality goal-scoring chances in the first half except for two close headers, one by each team, and some shots from outside the box.
The second half saw both teams dig deep and as the clock ticked down and the pressure mounded, Jesuit finally found the breakthrough goal in the 69th minute. Midfielder Chris Tadros delivered a driven ball from a corner kick to the back post that was met by defender Gabe Sims. Sims somehow forced the ball over the line and into the net.
Brother Martin immediately raised their intensity in the final 11 minutes; but Jesuit remained composed, defended staunchly, and managed the clock until the final whistle. The win is the Blue Jays’ 18th shutout victory of the season.
Through the Lens…
View the Photo Gallery from the JHS-BM Playoff Soccer Game
By the Numbers…
Goals (Assists) |
69’ Gabe Sims (Chris Tadros) |
In His Words…
“We needed to get our mindset in a much tougher place heading into the second half, and I think the players are really capable of doing that,” said head coach Hubie Collins, “and they proved that tonight.”
On the Horizon…
For the upcoming quarterfinal match, Jesuit will face the winner of No. 7 Lafayette vs. No. 10 Dutchdown. If Dutchtown wins, the Jays will travel. If Lafayette wins, the Jays will return to John Ryan Stadium to host their second straight playoff game. View the 2019 LHSAA Boys’ Soccer Playoff Bracket for Division I.
Read More…
NOLA.com | Jesuit 1, Brother Martin 0: Blue Jays survive upset bid thanks to an opportunistic corner
Galleries
Soccer Playoffs, Regional Rd., Jesuit (1) vs. Br. Martin (0), John Ryan Stadium, Feb. 6, 2019
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Arthur Ross fights for a loose ball.
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Defender Gabe Sims and Father Kevin Dyer, S.J., team chaplain, after the game
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The team runs out to thank the supporters.
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The team runs out to thank the supporters.
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...comes down with it cleanly.
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Goalie Jacob Randolph soars into the air to catch the ball and...
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The Gizzard goes wild!
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The crowd goes wild!
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Sims and Hanemann follow the ball into the net to ensure the goal.
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...the ball finds its way across the line.
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Sims sticks a knee out and...
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The ball flies past the keeper and the defender.
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Sims moves closer to the ball and the goal.
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Tadros hits a driven ball on a corner.
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Davis Laibe keeps possession.
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Defender Gabe Sims advances the ball forward.
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Tadros hits a driven free kick.
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Perkins dribbles past the Crusader defender,
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Torres shields the goalie from the ball and comes close to a scoring chance.
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Preston Bordes passes the ball in midfield.
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At halftime head coach Hubie Collins and assistant coach Jason Dormady talks to the players.
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Kai McCurley advances the ball with his left foot.
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Seth Trotter throws it in.
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Gabe Gordon controls the ball along the sideline.
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Max Hanemann watches a ball that goes just wide of the post.
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Torres takes a long-range shot.
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Ashton Perkins chases after a ball in the corner.