Ronald Pellegrln
February 15, 2018
OZ on the BAYOU
February 15, 2018
Several local soccer teams are still alive in their quest to win the soccer state championship.
Area teams competed in postseason play this week and several teams still were alive in the bracket at press-time on Lundi Gras.
The playoffs were continue this week with the state championship matches set for next week in Lafayette.
Perhaps the lead dogs to win a state title come in the Division HI girls’ bracket where a couple of local power-houses roam.
In that bracket. Vandebilt, the two-time defending State Champions earned the No. l seed and cruised in the second-round of the playoffs with an 8-0 win over No. 18 Lutcher. The Lady Terriers had a first-round bye.
Vandebilt played No. 8 North DeSoto at home in the quarterfinals on Lundi Gras with no score available at press-time.
If victorious, they will lock horns with another local power in the field – No. 5 E.D. White.
The Lady Cardinals got a first-round bye in the field then flexed their muscles – pushing past No. 12 DeRidder 5-1 in the second round of the playoffs.
In the quarterfinals, ED. White soared on the road, scoring a mild 1-0 upset win over No. 4 Teurlings Catholic to advance to the semifinals and earn a shot at the potential rematch with Vandebilt.
The Lady Cardinals and Lady Terriers faced twice this season and Vandebilt has had their number, scoring two-straight victories, outscoring E.D. White by an 11-1 margin.
But in the playoffs, everyone goes back to 0-0 and the past means nothing for the longtime storied rivals.
But the Lady Cardinals and Lady Terriers aren’t the only locals chasing championship glory.
The Central Lafourche girls’ soccer team is still alive, as well.
In Division II. the Lady Trojans advanced to the quarterfinals after beating No. 10 Terrebonne 2-1 in the second round The Lady Tigers beat Belle Chasse to earn a place in the game.
With the win. Central Lafourche advanced to face No. 2 West Ouachita on Monday. No score was available at press-time on Monday afternoon.
West Ouachita earned their place in the game after beating No. 18 South Terrebonne 3-0.
The Lady Gators made it to the second round after a thrilling road victory over No. 15 Sam Houston.
On paper, it looks like Central Lafourche may have a chance with West Ouachita. Looking at common opponents. Central Lafourche also beat South Terrebonne twice. One of the games was a 2-0 shutout similar to the 3-0 shutout West Ouachita scored.
On the boys’ side, there’s still a lot of local flavor alive, as well.
In Division II, No. 10 Terrebonne advanced to the quarterfinals after a 1-0 road victory over No. 7 Neville. That win matched Terrebonne against No. 2 Beau Chene on Monday. No score was available at press-time.
In Division III, ED. White is the odds-on favorite to win the State Championship, owning the No. 1 seed in the field.
The Cardinals lambasted No. 16 St. Michael the Archangel in the second-round of play after possessing a first-round bye.
E.D. White then moved on to face No. 8 St. Martinville on Mardi Gras night at Peltier Stadium.
On die bottom half of the bracket. No. 6 Vandebilt Catholic is still alive after waxing No. 11 DeRidder 8-0 in their first game to move to the quarterfinals.
The Terriers traveled to No. 3 Teurlings Catholic on Mardi Gras. No score was available at press-time.
In Division IV. Houma Christian tried to produce a Cinderella story, but their rally came up short.
After scoring a thrilling 2-1 upset win over No. 14 Evangel Christian, the No. 19 Christian Warriors lost in the second round of the playoffs this past week to No. 3 North lake Christian a 3-1 decision.
The defeat ended Houma Christian’s season with 11 victories in 20 matches.
The Times will be heavily tracking the prep soccer playoffs throughout the week as the brackets continue to take fold.
For results on all of the games mentioned above, visit HoumaTimes.com throughout the week.
The Vandebilt girls soccer team state last year. Now they’re three wins away from winning the title again this spring.
