Vandebilt scores third consecutive soccer championship

It is not often that a two-time defending state champion starts a season as an underdog. But that was the case for Vandebilt Catholic, which lost 10 seniors from last year’s team. After starting the year 4-11, it looked like the skeptics were right—it would be a rebuilding year for the Terriers.

On Saturday night, Vandebilt traveled the East Ascension’s Spartan Stadium and put talk of a rebuilding year to rest via a 3-0 win over East Ascension in the Division II State Championship game.

The win made history, with the Terriers becoming the first team in Louisiana to win three consecutive state championships. It was the Terriers fifth state title in six years, and seventh overall.

A year ago, Vandebilt defeated the Spartans 8-0 to win the title.

Terriers head coach Doug Hamilton said the early struggles made this season one of his proudest in 16 years of coaching. “I’m more proud of the journey that we had this season,” said Hamilton. “I know that sounds a little bit clichÈ, but Vandebilt Catholic has a really proud tradition. I won’t remember this season by the records. We peaked at the right time.”

The Terriers (19-11-2) got on the board early via a free kick, a familiar theme for the night. In the 6th minute, Braden Eschete served a free kick from nearly 65 yards out, and Mac Corbin headed it into the corner for a 1-0 lead.

While T.J. Freeman added a penalty kick goal in the 35th minute for a 2-0 lead, it was Eschete’s rainbow-like free kick in the 53rd minute that set up Corbin’s second goal of the night for the 3-0 margin.

Eschete said the team usually works on free kicks at every practice. “It’s usually an end of practice thing,” he said. “I take the long ones, and you get lucky sometimes.”

Hamilton said Eschete’s free kicks were key. “My goodness, the guy has major legs,” said Hamilton. “Even by his standards, he had some extra zip tonight. That first one was from 65 yards away. It was incredible.”

And while Eschete’s free-kick exploits keyed the Terriers offensive attack, his defensive prowess also played a big role in the shut out. Hamilton praised Eschete and fellow defender Mitchell Barker for preventing the Spartans from seriously threatening throughout the night. “(Eschete) and Mitchell Barker in the middle of the defense were incredible,” said Hamilton. “They really shut down a lot of any chances (East Ascension) had.”

To a man, the Terriers said they fed off of feeling like underdogs early in the season. “Everybody doubted us,” said Eschete. “At the beginning of the year we were kind of slow, and I could see how people doubted us. But we turned it on at the right moment, and we peaked at the right time. It’s tradition—Vandebilt and state championship.”

Corbin agreed with Eschete’s sentiments. “It’s great,” said Corbin. “Three-peating and coming back with the state trophy. There’s no better feeling right now.”

And if Freeman, who scored 42 goals this year, has anything to say about it, the trophy will remain at Vandebilt for the foreseeable future. “I didn’t think I’d be here,” said the freshman. “And now that I’m here, I’ll do whatever it takes to keep the tradition going.”

Staff Photo by Matt LeBlanc * Tri-Parish Times * The Vandebilt Catholic High School boy’s soccer team beat East Ascension in the Division II State Championship Game Saturday night, making the Terriers the state’s first team to win three consecutive state soccer championships. “I’m more proud of the journey that we had this season,” said Coach Doug Hamilton. “I know that sounds a bit cliche’, but Vandebilt Catholic has a really proud tradition. I won’t remember this season by the record. We peaked at the right time.”