Krewe de Bonne Terre moves parade to Sunday
February 5, 2016
Mardi Gras morning hit and run proves fatal
February 10, 2016
Thanks to a dominant regular season, the Vandebilt Catholic girls’ soccer team is now the No. 1 seed in the Division III State Playoffs.
But their focus isn’t on what’s happened in the past few months, but more what will happen in the coming weeks.
The Lady Terriers want solely to make sure that they win their final game of the season.
Expectations are high for Vandebilt in the 2016 playoffs as the team enters postseason with the top overall seed.
The Lady Terriers have enjoyed a dominant regular season, recording a 24-3-3 record. The team hasn’t been defeated since late-December – a 10-match unbeaten streak that has coach Philip Amedee thinking his team can make that big leap forward and win it all.
“It’s definitely been a rewarding year,” Amedee said . “It’s been a year where all the hard work and commitment has shown that it’s worth sacrificing for. We’d had good results. We’ve played a tough non-district schedule. But we’ve played well against really good teams all year long.”
An offensive push is the No. 1 reason behind Vandebilt’s dominant surge.
The Lady Terriers are sound offensively, scoring three or more goals in more than half of their matches this season.
Amedee said the Lady Terriers changed their offensive formations last year after losing in the quarterfinals last season – an unusual early exit for a team which is used to competing on the final day of the season.
Amedee credited goal scorers like Grace Champagne, Molly Thompson and Hannah Cuneo with the team’s offensive success. Each has scored several goals this season.
And for Amedee, the bonus is that none of the three are seniors.
Thompson is a sophomore and Champagne and Cuneo are juniors.
“They’ve all been starting here since they were freshmen,” Amedee said. “They’ve matured. They’ve taken the next step and hit another gear. I’m excited to have them now, and even more excited to have them for another year.”
Defensively, Vandebilt remains sound, entering the playoffs with 10-straight shutout wins.
Amedee said Emma Guidry is dominant in goal – one of the best keepers in Louisiana. The coach said it’s a luxury in a single elimination tournament to have a player as good as the Vandebilt goalie.
“I wouldn’t trade her for anybody in the state,” Amedee said. “She’s been so solid for me. She played as an eighth grader because we had some injuries. But now, she’s doing great.”
Vandebilt will face the winner of No. 16 Lutcher and No. 17 North DeSoto.
The Lady Terriers have beaten Lutcher twice in the regular season. •
