Soccer Takes State Runner-Up, Falls 3-0 to St. Paul’s
Take away the first minute of the game, and the first half would be described as a tightly contested, physical match in which neither team could crack the scoring column. Include the first minute, when describing the final outcome, and it is safe to say the St. Paul’s Wolves found everything they needed before most fans found their seats. Just 53 seconds after kickoff, Jesuit surrendered a free kick that saw a well-placed ball turn into a beautiful header goal.
The No. 2 Blue Jays accepted the runner-up title after falling 3-0 to the top-seeded Wolves in the 2019 Allstate Sugar Bowl LHSAA State Championships on Saturday night at Louisiana-Lafayette’s Cajun Field. While it was hard to stand during the trophy presentation, Blue Jays showed their class, clapping for the Wolves as they received their state title.
Saves certainly made the difference this year, just as they did in last year’s classic title match that saw Jesuit defeat St. Paul’s with a golden goal at the sound of the final whistle. A season ago, it was Jesuit’s defense and goalkeeper saves that changed the game. In this game, the Wolves’ keeper made the difference. In the 32nd minute, Gabe Sims’s header was barely saved by goalkeeper Trace Roberts. That was the goal the Blue Jays needed to gain momentum and come out of the halftime locker room with a clean slate.
St. Paul’s second goal came early in the second half on another header by the same Wolf who scored the first one (Michael Dufour). Dufour earned a hat trick in the 54th minute with a successful conversion of a penalty kick, capitalizing on some defensive miscues to salt things away at 3-0. The Jesuit offense came alive in the final 20 minutes, attacking the goal with headers from close-range throw-ins by Ashton Perkins and set pieces by Chris Tadros. And while their attempts to score were close and aggressive, they all fell short and came too late in the game.
The District 6 Champions, now the 2019 state runner-up, conclude their season at 23-1-7.
Through the Lens…
View the Photo Gallery from the Jesuit-St. Paul’s Soccer Final
By the Numbers…
View the 2019 LHSAA Boys’ Soccer Playoff Bracket for Division I.
In His Words…
“It’s hard to judge a season on the very last game, ” head coach Hubie Collins said. “Certainly, what all the seniors and every player below them did—I tip my hat off to them because they were absolutely fantastic. This will leave a sour taste in their mouth, which can be a learning opportunity…a life lesson. And those guys who are returning next year will remember this moment and work hard to be back at this final game next year.”
Read More…
NOLA.com | St. Paul’s 3, Jesuit 0: Michael Dufour’s hat trick gives Wolves D-I state soccer crown
TheAdvocate.com | Michael Dufour’s hat trick propels St. Paul’s to big win over Jesuit
Galleries
Soccer State Finals, Jesuit (0) vs. St. Paul's (3), ULL Ragin' Cajun Field, Feb. 23, 2019
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Jays march onto the pitch for the second half.
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Before the players leave the field for the buses, Fr. Fronk thanks them for showing class, for having good sportsmanship, and for representing Jesuit well.
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Blue Jays on 3!
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School president Fr. Chris Fronk and his fellow Jesuits support the team during the closing prayer.
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Jesuit High School, 2019 State Runner-Up
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Tadros accepts the runner-up trophy.
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Despite the tough loss, Blue Jays thanks the fans who drove two hours to watch the state finals match.
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D'Aunoy leaps for a header.
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Gabe Gordon crosses it with his left foot.
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Bennett Mansour tries another header towards the keeper.
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Noah D'Aunoy comes inches close to getting the first touch.
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Perkins gets a running head-start for this throw-in.
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Jacob Torres hits the corner kick.
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Goalie Jacob Randolph boots it downfield.
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Tadros passes it.
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Perkins with another throw-in
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Arthur Ross fights for possession and...
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Sims tries for another header.
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Ashton Perkins on a header during the free kick
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Chris Tadros on a free kick
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Arthur Ross shows his agility as he fakes out the defender.
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Davis Laibe switches feet.
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...but the St. Paul's keeper saves the shot on target.
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Sims beats the defender to the ball, heads the ball toward the goal,...
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Gabe Sims looks downfield.
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With the Jays trailing 1-0 in the first half, students remain standing as they watch the action.
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Maraldo dribbles past the defender.
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Jacob Torres attacks the goal.
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Gabe Sims runs up for the ball.
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Sebi Maraldo leaps for a header.
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Ashton Perkins throws the ball in.
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...gains control.