Jays Score First, But Crusaders Go Last

Posted January 10, 2015 / Last updated January 15, 2015

Freshman Braden Brignac hurtles to reach the ball before his opponent. Brignac withstood some big hits in the game against Brother Martin.

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The Jays learned a valuable lesson playing their crosstown rival Brother Martin on a cold Friday evening at John Ryan Stadium. It’s a basic lesson in all athletic competitions: the game’s not over until it’s over.

After a scoreless first half, the Blue Jays ramped up the intensity and pounced quickly. In the 43rd minute, junior co-captain Chase Rushing was given a splendid opportunity when the Crusaders’ goalie committed. Rushing seized the moment by ramming a shot to the back of the net to give the Jays a 1-0 lead.

This Crusader is in the wrong place at the wrong time as senior Michael Pou kicks the ball.

The big questions were, with 37 minutes remaining, could the Jays create some comfort by scoring another goal? Could the Jays sustain the high energy and intensity levels? Could the lone goal stand up for the rest of the match? The answers, my friends, were blowing in the frigid wind – No, No, and No.

With just under five minutes remaining, Jesuit’s intensity levels dropped like the temperature, along with their concentration and focus, which normally must be razor sharp against a team like Brother Martin. In the time it takes to tie a shoe, the Crusaders tied the match, scoring off a long throw-in that was initially headed, then swatted like a fly into the goal.

“We had a lack of concentration that gave them an opportunity,” said coach Hubie Collins. “We look at it as a learning moment, a learning curve, so that in future situations, we’re bigger, we’re stronger.”

The Jays’ overall record is 11-4-3; in-state 11-0-3; and district 4-0-1. (The Jays have yet to win a regular season match against the Crusaders at John Ryan Stadium.)

Jesuit plays a non-district match against Ocean Springs (MS) on Monday, Jan. 12 at John Ryan Stadium. Kickoff is at 5:45 p.m. Following Ocean Springs, the Jays have the week off. Jesuit will visit Rummel on Saturday, Jan. 17 with kickoff at 12:45 p.m.

Nola.com: Brother Martin gets late goal for a 1-1 district draw at Jesuit

Galleries

Soccer 2014-15: JHS (1) vs Brother Martin (1); John Ryan Stadium, January 9

Braden Brignac fights off the strong-arm.
Dylan Mire and Patrick LaCour (5) have a Crusader boxed in... The Blue Jays play their second match against Brother Martin on Saturday, Jan. 24 at noon at the Crusaders' field in Gentilly.
Braden Brignac goes up for this header.
Dillon Fuchs (24) takes a shot but the Crusader goalie makes a great save.
... Braden Brignac hits the turf and the ref blows the whistle. The Crusader was yellow-carded.
... The hit sends Braden Brignac reeling...
... Braden Brignac takes a shot...
The next four images show Braden Brignac's encounter at mid-field with a Crusader defender...
Junior Reid Detillier is right there just in case the Crusaders' goalie muffs the ball.
The goal gets the Jesuit side of the bleachers all pumped up.
Chase Rushing uses sign language to communicate with his teammates following the goal.
... And scores Jesuit's lone goal of the match.
Chase Rushing gets past the Crusader goalie...
Sophomore Chris Pitre is aggressive going for the ball.
This Crusader is in the wrong place at the wrong time as Michael Pou kicks the ball.
Before this Crusader reaches him, senior co-captain Jack LaForge gets rid of the ball with a forceful kick to one of his teammates. The Blue Jay bench is trying to keep warm on what was a cold night for soccer at John Ryan Stadium.
Junior Nick Slay leads the parade with Michael Pou (16) and sophomore Christian Hebert (15) right behind him.
Junior José Aleman gives his teammates on the bench a lesson on how to not touch the ground while circumventing an opponent.
The Blue Jays had plenty of corner kicks but the planets didn't seem to want to align. Dillon Fuchs (24) and Jack LaForge (right) come back down to earth on this header following a corner kick.
Dillon Fuchs looks as if static electricity is in the cold air.
Braden Brignac hurtles to reach the ball before his opponent.
It is a rare accomplishment for a freshman to earn a spot on the varsity team, and rarer still for that player to get any playing time. Braden Brignac (26) is that rare freshman who will be fun to watch on the field.
Jack LaForge and Patrick LaCour team up to clear the ball on a Crusader corner kick.
Junior middle striker and co-captain Chase Rushing tries to ignore this Crusader bearing down on him.
Senior goalie and co-captain Otto Candies punts.
Going for the ball, junior Dillon Fuchs avoids colliding with the Crusaders' goalie.
... Michael Pou sustains a hit that almost results in an ankle injury.
Junior defender Michael Pou and his opponent go head-to-head...
With a swift and powerful kick, senior Patrick LaCour sends the ball downfield.
Senior Dylan Mire uses himself to protect the ball from the charge of this Crusader.