Jesuit High School of New Orleans

Blue Jays and Crusaders Blowin’ in the Wind

Posted January 11, 2014 / Last updated March 10, 2014

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Jesuit senior Will McQueen goes up head-to-head against this Crusader in a Saturday soccer match at John Ryan Stadium that proved to be a tough physical battle for both teams.

Jesuit senior Will McQueen goes up head-to-head against this Crusader in a Saturday soccer match at John Ryan Stadium that proved to be a tough physical battle for both teams.

Jesuit Scores First, But Brother Martin Scores Twice

Funny how the ball bounces on the soccer field. And that’s without being influenced by wind. When the wind kicks up at John Ryan Stadium, as it did in a soccer match played against Brother Martin on Saturday, Jan. 11, the physics factor becomes a huge dynamic game changer. Sometimes, Mother Nature helps Jesuit, and sometimes not.

Against the third-ranked Crusaders, the Blue Jays (ranked two notches below at fifth) experienced a cruel wind. How cruel? Two to one cruel. For the Jays, it was not so amusing the way the ball bounced the Crusaders’ way — twice — right into the Jesuit goal. But fans of Blue Jay soccer can’t blame the wind exclusively for their team’s 2-1 loss.

The Crusaders showed Jesuit many different doors. The Jays could not find a way to open them. Jesuit scored first, and as it turned out, a lone goal that came in the 12th minute of the match when senior mid-fielder Evan Kramer lofted a free kick over the heads of four Brother Martin defenders, landing the ball perfectly in the upper left corner of the Crusaders’ net. It was as perfect a kick as any could be. The Crusader goalie never had a chance.

The match between the two teams was a typical tough, physical game that fans have come to expect. The eight yellow cards were about evenly distributed between the two rivals, and were six, maybe seven more than what was necessary, but all refs are different.

The next home game for the Blue Jays is Tuesday, Jan. 14 when Gulfport High School comes to John Ryan Stadium for a match that kicks off at 7 p.m.

View the Jesuit vs. Brother Martin Soccer Photo Gallery

 

Nola.com: Brother Martin Takes 2-1 Victory Over Jesuit


New Orleans Advocate: Unbeaten Brother Martin Edges Jesuit

Galleries

Soccer vs. Brother Martin, Jan. 11, 2014

  • soccer-2013_14_jhsvbrothermartin_01112014_01
    With flags pushed horizontal by a stiff wind, the referees lead the players to mid-field for introductions and the National Anthem. Whenever these two teams play each other, sparks fly, and this match was no different. Coming into the game, Jesuit had won nine games, tied three, and lost one (9-3-1). At the beginning of the season, the defending state champion Blue Jays held the top spot in the sportswriters' statewide poll Since then, Jesuit has slipped to five, while the unbeaten Crusaders are third in the rankings.
  • soccer-2013_14_jhsvbrothermartin_01112014_02
    Chase Rushing (39), the sole sophomore on Jesuit's varsity team, is a starter at halfback, a position which demands jumping high, very high.
  • soccer-2013_14_jhsvbrothermartin_01112014_03
    Senior striker Will McQueen goes up head-to-head against this Crusader.
  • soccer-2013_14_jhsvbrothermartin_01112014_04
    Jesuit scored first, and as it turned out, a lone goal that came in the 12th minute of the match when senior mid-fielder Evan Kramer (left) lofted a free kick over the heads of four Brother Martin defenders, landing the ball perfectly in the upper left corner of the Crusaders’ net. It was as perfect a kick as any could be. Kramer celebrates the goal with senior Mitch Bourgeois and junior Jack LaForge.
  • soccer-2013_14_jhsvbrothermartin_01112014_05
    The Crusaders left the door open on several plays, especially early in the game, but the Jays failed to capitalize.
  • soccer-2013_14_jhsvbrothermartin_01112014_06
    The match quickly became the usual physical tussel and among the first wounded was midfielder Evan Kramer, who got banged in the head seven minutes after scoring a goal to give the Jays a 1-0 lead. Kramer crumples to the artificial turf and senior Cameron Coulon stands over him, then looks to the Jesuit bench for some medical help. Kramer left the game but soon returned. However, his brief absence was felt by the Jays and it changed the tempo of the match, tilting it toward the Crusaders.
  • soccer-2013_14_jhsvbrothermartin_01112014_07
    On a corner kick for the Jays, seniors Gabriel Navar (5), Cameron Coulon (16), and Jacob Stansberry (18), along with Chase Rushing (39), are out-maneuvered by the Crusader defense.
  • soccer-2013_14_jhsvbrothermartin_01112014_08
    Junior defensive back Jack LaForge and goalie Nick Tadros foresee disaster about to strike as the ball, with a little help from a gust of wind, gets away long enough for a charging Crusader to step in and tie the game at 1-1.
  • soccer-2013_14_jhsvbrothermartin_01112014_09
    Senior Luke Hahn finds a piece of the ball before falling back to the turf.
  • soccer-2013_14_jhsvbrothermartin_01112014_10
    An intense Mitch Bourgeois nearly lands on top of a defender on this corner kick from Evan Kramer, who was cleared to return to the field after sustaining an injury earlier in the match.
  • soccer-2013_14_jhsvbrothermartin_01112014_11
    There is no slowing Will McQueen.
  • soccer-2013_14_jhsvbrothermartin_01112014_12
    Jacob Stansberry and the Crusaders' goalie appear to be auto-locked on yet another corner kick the Jays cannot capitalize on.
  • soccer-2013_14_jhsvbrothermartin_01112014_13
    The Crusaders' goalie emerges past the comfort zone but quickly backs off when he sees that his defensive teammate has Gabriel Navar under control....
  • soccer-2013_14_jhsvbrothermartin_01112014_14
    ... In a flash, Gabriel Navar breaks loose, pivots, and decides to practice the art of levitating.
  • soccer-2013_14_jhsvbrothermartin_01112014_15
    Luke Hahn soars skyward but this corner kick belonged to the goalie.
  • soccer-2013_14_jhsvbrothermartin_01112014_16
    Blue Jay goalie Nick Tadros sends the ball downfield.
  • soccer-2013_14_jhsvbrothermartin_01112014_17
    Senior defensive back Cullen Walsh keeps the ball in play.
  • soccer-2013_14_jhsvbrothermartin_01112014_18
    In the 56th minute, the ball takes a Brother Martin bounce - high enough to catch a gust of wind. As it floats beyond the reach of goalie Nick Tadros, a Crusader is there to stake it.
  • soccer-2013_14_jhsvbrothermartin_01112014_19
    Gabriel Navar moves the ball at mid-field but the minutes are quickly ticking off the clock, and the Jays are feeling the pressure to make something happen.
  • soccer-2013_14_jhsvbrothermartin_01112014_20
    For a second time, Evan Kramer is decked and momentarily lays on the turf. Mitch Bourgeois helps him to his feet.
  • soccer-2013_14_jhsvbrothermartin_01112014_21
    The match has entered stoppage time and the Jays are awarded a free kick from the spot where Evan Kramer went down. Mitch Bourgeois lines the ball up but the wall of Crusaders successfully defends his kick. Seconds later, the Blue Jays hear the sound worse than howling wind - a thrice-blown ref's whistle. Game over.
  • soccer-2013_14_jhsvbrothermartin_01112014_22
    The rivals meet on the field in harmony and peace, and out of respect for each other, as disappointed Jesuit fans head for the gate. The Blue Jays return to John Ryan Field on Tuesday, Jan. 14 to play a non-district match against Gulfport High School. The game will begin at 7 p.m.