Jays’ Soccer Season Ends in Den of the Wolves

Posted February 23, 2014 / Last updated March 10, 2014

Jacob Stansberry hustles after the ball in the semifinal soccer match against St. Paul’s. The 2013-14 season ended for the defending champion Jays.

St. Paul’s Shuts Down and Shuts Out Jesuit, 2-0, in State Semifinal Playoff Match

It wasn’t meant to be, Jesuit’s soccer team winning a third consecutive state championship.

St. Paul’s, the team the Jays beat in the last two title matches, exacted a measure of revenge by making sure Jesuit’s season would end Saturday afternoon on the Wolves’ home field in Covington.

In defeating the 6th seeded Jays, 2-0, 2nd seeded St. Paul’s advances for the fourth consecutive year to the championship match, where the Wolves will play the Irish of Grace King on Friday, Feb. 28 at Tad Gormley Stadium.

It wasn’t so much a bitter loss as it was a disappointing one for the Jays, who finished with 17 wins, four losses, and four ties.

Senior goalie Nick Tadros told his teammates afterwards while the loss hurts, “We are Blue Jays and we walk out of here with our heads high.”

And they did exactly that.

View the Photo Gallery of the Jesuit – St. Paul’s Match

New Orleans Advocate: St. Paul’s blanks Jesuit to reach soccer final

Nola.com: St. Paul’s knocks off Jesuit, advances to fourth straight Division I final

Galleries

Soccer vs. St. Paul's, Semifinal Match, Feb. 22, 2014

Jack LaForge heads the ball for the last time this season. He will return next year as a senior anchoring the defense.
On a penalty kick for the Wolves, Nick Tadros gets a hand on the ball, just enough to deflect it off the crossbar...
... But the Wolves are ready and spring toward the loose ball, two steps ahead of the Jays. With Tadros on the turf after deflecting the ball, St. Paul's nudged the ball into the net for an easy goal to go two-up on the Jays. Meanwhile, Nick Tadros jumps to his feet and reacts with dismay and frustration.
Jack LaForge flattens the ball on this heavy header.
Evan Kramer and a Wolf fly up for a header.
Will McQueen and his opponent brake simultaneously on the artificial turf...
... McQueen suddenly hits warp speed, leaving the Wolf at bay.
Coaches Daz Towers, Hubie Collins, Dave Storm, and the Blue Jay bench are beginning to see the proverbial handwriting on the wall.
With about 13 minutes remaining, the Jays are feeling the pressure and furiously assault the goal with Chase Rushing (39), Mitch Bourgeois (24), and Cameron Coulon.
The Wolves' goalie momentarily fumbles and Gabe Navar charges in, but milliseconds too late.
Will McQueen waits for the precise moment.
Another assault on goal with Cameron Coulon, Will McQueen, and Gabe Navar all up in the air.
The Jays are relentless, but nothing seems to be working right, timing is off, and opportunities are wasted.
With a Wolf charging him, Nick Tadros gets off this kick with no time to spare.
Will McQueen gets this shot off but it sails over the goal.
Jack LaForge stretches to clear the ball from in front of Jesuit's goal with backup support from Charles Graham, Chase Rushing, and Mitch Bourgeois.
Will McQueen makes a desperate attempt to send the ball downfield.
Evan DeHoog focuses on the ball, not the howling Wolf. Some 30 seconds later, the referee's whistle emits the familiar three long blasts signifying the match is over, and for the Jays, the 2013-14 soccer season.
Colin Hanley (00), St. Paul's goalie, shows class by crossing the field to offer some words of consolation to Nick Tadros. Back-up goalie Otto Candies is at Tadros' side and Evan Kramer walks towards the group.
Luke Hahn hugs Nick Tadros as the scoreboard speaks of finality for the Jays.
Evan Kramer is the first player to reach the fans, including students, parents, and grandparents who came out to support the team.
The players thank their fellow Jays and the fans, in turn, offer some consolation.
Jesuit goalie Nick Tadros has a quiet moment with his father, Daniel Tadros.
Jesuit's three goalies (from left), Joe Eustis, Nick Tadros, and Otto Candies, walk toward their teammates who are packing up and preparing to leave the stadium.
Dr. Joe Licciardi '53 cuts tape off Stinson Hebert's leg.
Joe Licciardi has been one of the team physicians for Jesuit for many years. He rarely misses a Blue Jay soccer match or a baseball game.
Coach Collins has some parting words for the team, whose members are inconsolable.
Coach Dave Storm had kind, soothing words for the players, although he told them there is nothing he can say that will take away the pain they are feeling.
Goalie Nick Tadros spoke for a couple of minutes...
... telling his teammates that they must hold their heads high because "We are Blue Jays and that is how we act when we lose.." Thanks to Coach Collins and his assistants, Dave Storm and Daz Towers, and the entire Jesuit varsity team for all the memories this season.
The referees wish each player good luck.
Blue Jays, six of whom are carrying flags that spell JESUIT, invade the bleachers to cheer on and support their team.
Mitch Bourgeois chases down a loose ball.
Jacob Stansberry keeps the ball in play.
Ten minutes into the match, the Wolves take advantage of a lapse on defense and score their first goal. The Jays regroup as the St. Paul's fans go wild.
Cullen Walsh tries to intercept a pass.
Charles Graham heads the ball as Chase Rushing lurks nearby.
Mitch Bourgeois controls the ball and sets up a play.
Jack LaForge (15) and Chase Rushing (39) battle five Wolves defending in front of the goal.
Chase Rushing waits for gravity to kick in.
Jacob Stansberry hustles after the ball.
Evan Kramer shoots from the right side but the ball hits the crossbar. Gabe Navar (5) is ready to follow through but the ball ricochets to the other side of the field.
The Wolves take a corner kick and players from both sides watch the ball in flight.
The Blue Jays traveled to Covington to play a semifinal match against the St. Paul's Wolves. First order of business: the National Anthem, followed by player introductions.,
The Jays have an opportunity to tie the match with this penalty kick, but Evan Kramer's shot glances off the head of one of the Wolves' defenders.
As Cullen Walsh watches anxiously, goalie Nick Tardo has to leap high to deflect the ball over the net.
Charles Graham's head was pounded all afternoon.
Chase Rushing has competition on this header.
Cameron Coulon moves around a Wolf to get to the ball.
Evan Kramer fights for the ball.
Blue Jays came out to support their team.
Chase Rushing does the two-step with a pair of Wolves as Evan DeHoog waits to cut in.
Evan Kramer sticks his toes to the ball while three Wolves give chase.
Ball still stuck to toes, Evan Kramer flips it backwards.
Evan Kramer and his opponent are equally determined to reach the ball.
Sometimes, the only way to slow Evan Kramer is by his #4 jersey.
Mitch Bourgeois is one giant step ahead of his opponent.