Soccer 2007 2008 Season

Junior Charles Kleinschmidt attempts to squeeze between two Woodlawn defenders.

The Blue Jay varsity soccer team’s campaign through the LHSAA playoffs ended Saturday afternoon at Bertolino in the semifinal round against the Woodlawn Panthers, 1-0.

Jesuit had many looks at the goal; however, none of their shots found the mark. Late in the second half, Woodlawn scored the only goal of the game and kept the Jays scoreless with the remaining time in regulation play.

(The following article is courtesy of The Times-Picayune and nola.com)

Woodlawn Gets Break, Upsets Jays

Jesuit, St. Paul's control tempo in semis but fall; Greenies on to finals

Sunday, February 17, 2008

From staff reports

Marcus Dyer's goal in the 70th minute gave Baton Rouge-Woodlawn a 1-0 victory against Jesuit in a Division I soccer semifinal match Saturday at Muss Bertolino Stadium.

The Panthers face Caddo on Saturday at 7 p.m. in Shreveport for the state championship.

Woodlawn took advantage of a misplay by Jesuit goalkeeper Evan Keller, who came out of the goal box to field the ball but bobbled it. Dyer then made contact with Keller. The ball fell free, and Dyer scored uncontested.

"I saw the keeper was having trouble handling the ball," Dyer said. "We made contact, and I ran past him. The ball came free, and I scored unchallenged."

Midway through the second half, the Blue Jays (22-3-4) attempted four shots on goal in a span of four minutes but were unable to finish.

"We did not convert our opportunities today," Blue Jays Coach Hubie Collins said. "Our goalkeeper was fantastic all season. I thought we were a little out of sync today."

The Blue Jays attempted six shots, including a header by Jake Miranda that was wide of the right post, in the first 10 minutes.

The Blue Jays outshot the Panthers 13-2. Woodlawn goalkeeper Sterling Perryman had five saves.

John Giambelluca

Jays Bound for Sweet Soccer Semi-Finals After 4-2 Quarterfinal Victory over St. Thomas More Cougars

Sophomore Patrick Mullins, pictured here in a district game earlier this season,
pulls a hat trick on the road in the quarterfinal match
against the St. Thomas More Cougars to give Jesuit a 4-2 victory.
Senior Jake Miranda scored the Jays’ other goal.

(The following article is courtesy of theadvertiser.com)

Jesuit Ends Run by STM
Grant Alexander
galexander@theadvertiser.com

St. Thomas More's Adam Saloom received the ball in the box, muscled his way through a Jesuit defender and bounced a shot past a diving goalkeeper to bring his Cougars within one goal of tying the quarterfinal round match of the Division I soccer playoffs.

The crowd at STM Cougar Stadium erupted as time was ticking down on Wednesday night's classic.

One minute later, though, a harmless ball bounced into Cougar territory. It wasn't cleared and Jesuit's Patrick Mullins chipped it over Dylan Robideaux's head for his third goal of the game, and the final dagger to STM's season, a 4-2 loss

"We came into this game knowing this was the state final for us," said Saloom, a senior. "We played with passion, emotion and intensity. We had a couple of chances and we just didn't finish. Unfortunately for us, they did (finish their chances)."

The game against the defending state champion started promising enough for the Cougars (19-6-2), who got on the board first when Brett Dooley willed his way through two Jesuit defenders and punched in a goal early in the opening half.

"That really brought the crowd into the game and gave us a lot of confidence," Saloom said. "Unfortunately, they came right back and scored."

Jesuit answered five minutes later as Robideaux made a diving stop, but the rebound bounced right to Jake Miranda who hammered it into the back of the net.

With five minutes left in the half, Mullins put in his first goal of the game when he dribbled into the box and squeezed the ball under Robideaux.

"The game was played at great pace," Mullins said. "We went into every tackle as hard as we could, and I know they (STM) did as well."

Mullins' second goal came 13 minutes into the second half when Miranda hit a perfect pass into the box and Mullins put a foot on it to give the Blue Jays a 3-1 lead.

Jesuit then dropped into more of a defensive mode.

"We came out with a lot of intensity, but all those missed chances are what killed us," STM senior Chris Peyton said. "We moved to a 4-2-4 at the end there and were able to get a goal to get it close. We just couldn't pull it out in the end."

For Mullins, the last goal was the most special.

"I think that was the best one," Mullins said. "They showed a lot of heart and were fighting back, but that last one really put the nail in them. What's it like to score three goals in the quarterfinals? I'm not quite sure it's hit me yet."

Although the season is over for the Cougars, Saloom said it's hard to be disappointed.

"They're a good team, but we felt like we were the better team; we just didn't get it done tonight," Saloom said. "We never gave up or surrendered. Things just didn't bounce our way at times."

While STM's season ended, Jesuit moved one step from a return visit to the state championship game. On Saturday, the Blue Jays will host Woodlawn in the semifinals. On the other half of the bracket, Caddo Magnet and St. Paul's will meet Saturday's other final four matchup.

Quarterfinals Bound: Blue Jays Need Overtime to Defeat Pesky Baton Rouge Bulldogs, 2-1

Teammates congratulate sophomore Alexis Petrou after his
goal in the second overtime period to put the Jays ahead, 2-1.

Jesuit-Baton Rouge Soccer Photo Gallery

Jesuit’s soccer team came out flat on Thursday afternoon against the pesky Baton Rouge Bulldogs; however, the Jays’ experience and depth prevailed in the end over their opponent.

Sophomore Patrick Mullins scored the Jays’ one goal in regulation play, and sophomore Alexis Petrou secured the game winning goal in overtime to give Jesuit the 2-1 regional round win against Baton Rouge.

(The following article is courtesy of The Advocate and 2theadvocate.com)

Jesuit Holds Off Upstart BRHS

Advocate staff report
Published: Feb 8, 2008

The Baton Rouge High soccer team went into Thursday’s Division I-Class 5A playoff match focused on delivering its best performance of the season against one of the state’s premier programs.

That mission was accomplished in regulation as the Bulldogs went toe-to-toe with reigning state champion Jesuit and refused to blink.

But once the Bluejays survived 90 minutes and sent the match to overtime, a feisty BRHS team just didn’t have much left.

Alexi Petrou’s goal two minutes into the first 10-minute overtime session propelled the Blue Jays (21-4-2) past the Bulldogs 2-1.

“We came in focused on using our homefield to our advantage and we did that,” Baton Rouge High coach Ali Tabrizi said of his team’s gritty performance. “Our goal was to be very quick and decisive and play behind their back line and put their outside backs under pressure.

“Defensively, we had to cut the field in half and keep play to one side not let them stretch the point of attack by fronting their forwards and not giving them clear passing lanes.”

That strategy worked to near perfection in regulation, leading to a scoreless first half.

Patrick Mullins got Jesuit on the scoreboard first early in the second half. Baton Rouge High responded with Chris Baker’s penalty kick 10 minutes later, set up by Reed Curtis.

“Reed was excellent today at holding the ball and giving us opportunities to move it where we wanted to,” Tabrizi said.

Baton Rouge High was unable to gain the upper hand, though.

With the loss, the Bulldogs finished 11-11 and lose six seniors. But Tabrizi, who just finished his second season, said the foundation for the future is in place.

“We’ve got a good nucleus of kids coming back,” Tabrizi said. “This is a team that will be competitive for years to come. These kids really took a hold of what we did last year and really learned how to commit to what our game plan was, how to execute on the field and what they need to do on and off the field to be successful.”

Jesuit Soccer Defeats Mandeville, 2-0, in Bi-District Playoff Game

Senior Jake Miranda slaps the ball past the Mandeville goalie
for the Jays’ first score of the match played Friday afternoon
at Muss Bertolino Playground. Several minutes later in the first half,
sophomore Patrick Mullins added a goal to give Jesuit a 2-0 lead.
The pair of goals, coupled with a stingy defense, was all Jesuit needed
to eliminate the Skippers.
Jesuit-Mandeville Soccer Photo Gallery!
(The following article is courtesy of The Times-Picayune and nola.com)
Jays Take Care of Skippers
Mullins, Miranda score in playoff win

Saturday, February 02, 2008
By William Dunn

After a slow start, Jesuit overpowered Mandeville for a 2-0 win at Muss Bertolino Stadium in a Division I bi-district playoff match.

Patrick Mullins scored for the Blue Jays 28 minutes into the first half. "I just found some space," Mullins said. "I just kept dribbling the ball up and suddenly saw an open shot, so I went for it."
Jesuit Coach Hubie Collins said the first goal invigorated his players and helped them play more aggressively.
"I'd say for the first 20 minutes or so, nobody was really doing anything," Collins said. "After Patrick got that first goal for us, we kind of picked up our play and started taking better shots. Getting that first goal under our belts really woke us up."
The Blue Jays (20-4-2) took seven first-half shots to Mandeville's four. Jesuit made the most of its opportunities, increasing the lead to 2-0 when Jake Miranda scored on a penalty kick after a foul against the Skippers.
"Making those shots is a huge boost," Miranda said. "Any time you get an opportunity to take a free shot that close to the goal, you are probably looking at your best opportunity to score. Taking a 2-0 lead is really nice."
The Blue Jays stayed aggressive in the second half, taking four shots in the first 13 minutes and seven before Mandeville took one. Jesuit took 10 shots in the second half, and Mandeville took three.
"They were faster and more skillful than us," Mandeville Coach John Moss said. "Simply put, they overpowered us. They beat us pretty much every time we had a 50-50 situation on the ball. Of course our game plan was to not give them 50-50 situations, but that just didn't work out."
With emotions running high, Mandeville became frustrated late, and with six minutes left, a referee ejected a Mandeville assistant coach.
"The referee told me that he told him to sit down. I never heard the instruction," Moss said. "He was told to sit down, and he didn't sit down. Then he told the referee something, and he turned around and saw he was standing and ejected him."
Collins said maintaining composure was key for the Blue Jays.

Jesuit Soccer Hosts Mandeville Skippers in Bi-District Playoff Game This Afternoon

Junior Daniel Moise advances the ball down the field for the Jays in a game
earlier this season. Jesuit played Mandeville earlier this season
in the St. Paul’s Tournament and won that match, 4-0.
Jesuit’s soccer team opens the first round of district play Friday afternoon
when they host the Mandeville Skippers at Muss Bertilino at 4.
All tickets are $6 for this event.
View the LHSAA Soccer Brackets.
(The following articles are courtesy of The Times-Picayune and nola.com)
The Times-Picayune
Orleans Athlete
of the Week

EVAN KELLER, Jesuit

Keller, a junior goalkeeper, led Jesuit to victories
in matches that went to penalty kicks against Rummel and Newman
last week.

Jays Set to Defend Their State Crown
Once again, Jesuit has high expectations

Friday, February 01, 2008
By Pierce W. Huff

It's hard for a team to forget about the past coming off one of the greatest seasons in Louisiana high school soccer history.

Jesuit was 31-0 last season, allowed only five goals and won the Division I state championship for the second time in the past three seasons.

But as great as those accomplishments are, Jesuit has been trying to keep that in the past as it looks to repeat as Division I state champion. The Blue Jays (19-4-2) begin defense of their state title today when they play Mandeville in a Division I playoff game at Muss Bertolino at 4 p.m.
Jesuit Coach Hubie Collins said the Blue Jays had a special season last year.
"Those guys last year played wise beyond their years," Collins said.
But Collins has gone out of his way to make sure that his players haven't thought too much about that this season. He told his players in their early workouts that this is a new season with new expectations, even though the expectations at Jesuit are always high.
In the past 10 years the Blue Jays have been to the finals seven times and won five state championships.
"This year's team hasn't proven anything, and I've told them that," Collins said.
But Collins also doesn't want his players to feel pressure to live up to the standard of last year.
"To us the pressure is the challenge of the playoffs," he said. "We want to fulfill our potential and repeat as state champs."
It helps that Jesuit has been playing its best the past two months. The Blue Jays have won 13 of their past 14 matches after a 6-4-1 start.
The Blue Jays also have a seven-match winning streak in which they have outscored opponents 29-1.
"We're starting to finally click, and we've found a chemistry," senior midfielder Jeff Bertel said.
Junior midfielder Charles Kleinschmidt said he always knew he and his teammates would get rolling.
"I maybe wondered about that the first week of training, but after that I knew we would jell," Kleinschmidt said.
Rummel Coach Tim Burns, whose team finished second to Jesuit in the Catholic League, said the Blue Jays have a good chance of repeating.
"There's not a big difference, honestly, between their team this year and last year," Burns said. "I feel they still play well. The only difference may be the size, because they had a lot of dominating size last year. But they are just as strong defensively and as quick and skilled in the midfield."
Jesuit has three players -- Daniel Moise, Patrick Mullins and Blake Day -- that have each scored 10 goals this season.
The Blue Jays also have stabilized their defense with sophomore Evan Keller at goalkeeper and senior Jake Miranda at midfield.
"Now we're playing defense well," Miranda said. "Our defense has been definitely coming together."

Slip Sliding on Severn: Blue Jays Shutout Raiders, 3-0, for District Championship

Jesuit’s varsity soccer team: 2007-08 District Champs
The Jays defeated Rummel on the Raiders’ home field, 3-0,
on Saturday afternoon. Senior Jake Miranda scored for the Jays
in the first half and junior Daniel Moise added two goals
in the second half. The game was played on a sloppy field which
acerbated tempers on both teams, resulting in the referee pulling
four red cards -- two for the Jays, two for the Raiders.

The Blue Jays begin their quest for a state title when the first round
of playoffs begin this week. Jesuit is scheduled to play Mandeville at
Muss Bertolino Playground in Kenner. The game will most likely be Thursday,
January 31 at 7 p.m. When the schedule is finalized, the web site will be updated.

Jesuit-Rummel Soccer Photo Gallery

Jesuit Soccer Team Takes Match Against Newman, 2-0

Junior mid-fielder Charles Kleinschmidt makes a move on the ball in a game
earlier this season. In Wednesday night’s match against the Newman Greenies,
Charles scored both of Jesuit’s goals to give the Jays a non-district win, 2-0.
Jesuit’s varsity soccer team closes out district play Saturday
when the Jays travel to Rummel for a 2 PM kickoff.

In Cold Mud: Jays Shut Out Eagles, 7-0

Senior Keller Fisher battles for the ball in a wet and wild
soccer match against Archbishop Shaw on Saturday afternoon.

Jesuit-Shaw Soccer Photo Gallery

The winds were whipping out of the north and the Marconi field was full of cold mud puddles and lakes, but the Blue Jays did their best to ignore these harsh conditions enroute to a 7-0 romp over Archbishop Shaw.

Sympathetic referees called the game a few minutes early and no one dared to object.

Six Blue Jays scored goals, including junior Ryan Cabos, who scored twice. Other scorers were: sophomore Patrick Mullins, senior Jonathan Brothers, sophomore Alex Brignac, junior Robert Emmett, and junior Daniel Moise.

Head Knockers of Soccer! In 2-1 Win Over Crusaders,
Blue Jays Prevail with Skulls

Defending their goal: In the waning minutes of Thursday night’s
soccer match against Bro. Martin, Jesuit’s defense is pressed
but rises to the occasion. Junior Trey Kramer (9)
and seniors Keller Fisher (8) and Jonathan Brothers
keep the ball away from the Crusaders
as junior goalie Evan Keller anxiously stands his ground.

Photo Gallery of Jesuit-Bro. Martin Soccer Game

Jesuit’s soccer team used their heads, literally, to beat Brother Martin, 2-1, in a key district match Thursday night at Muss Bertolino Playground. Seniors Jake Miranda and Jeff Bertel each scored a goal by heading the ball directly into the Crusader’s net.

Less than three minutes into the start of the game, freshman forward Steven Cabos made the most of a free kick, placing the ball perfectly for Miranda to come out of nowhere and head it into the Crusader goal for Jesuit’s first score.

Midway through the second half, junior Daniel Moise ricocheted a corner kick into a throng of players. This time, it was Bertel who lowered his head and charged, the ball rocketing past the Crusader’s goalie for the Jays’ second score.

Brother Martin scored their only goal with 10 minutes left in the game. Making a play for the ball, Jesuit’s junior goalie Evan Keller collided with a Crusader and could not get back in position in time to defend the goal. The final 10 minutes found Jesuit’s stalwart defense rising to the occasion and thwarting every penetration by the Crusaders.

“This was a typical winter high school match where weather conditions were not conducive to playing quality soccer,” said Jesuit head Coach Hubie Collins. “We seemed to lose some of our focus when we let them back into the game with 10 minutes left to play. Our timing is off and we need to be sharper on challenges.

“We should have pressed Brother Martin harder after we scored our first goal,” he continued. “We should have gone for the jugular and made it more difficult for them. But our players defended well, especially toward the end of the game when Brother Martin came on strong.”

(The following article is courtesy of The Times-Picayune and nola.com)
Collins' Decision Pays for Jays
Jesuit notches 2-1 win over Crusaders

Friday, January 18, 2008
By Pierce W. Huff

After the Jesuit soccer team lost to Brother Martin in overtime in the semifinals of the St. Paul's Tournament last month, Jesuit Coach Hubie Collins had a choice to make.

He could make changes when Jesuit played Brother Martin again or he could do nothing and trust his system.

Collins chose the latter and emphasized his players execute better.
It worked.
Defending Division I champion Jesuit moved a step closer to the winning the District 10-I title with a 2-1 victory against Brother Martin at Muss Bertolino on Tuesday.
"I knew our formation (4-4-2) was strong enough to beat Brother Martin," Collins said.
It also helped Jesuit that Brother Martin had four injured starters, including one who didn't play.
The Crusaders also started sophomore goalkeeper Nathan Dean, who starts on the junior varsity, because normal starter Justin Figley was out with the flu.
"It's always close when we play them," Brother Martin Coach Louie Smothermon said.
Jesuit (16-2-4, 6-0) is in first place in District 10-I with two district matches remaining.
"We still have to work hard and win the rest of our district games," Blue Jays senior Jeff Bertel said.
Jesuit took a 1-0 lead when senior Jake Miranda scored at two minutes.
"I went to the far post and the ball went straight to me," Miranda said.
The score was Miranda's first goal in his first match against Brother Martin.
"I didn't play in the first game because I broke my leg, and I didn't play in the second game because I received my second yellow card in the game before," he said.
Jesuit led 1-0 at halftime after Brother Martin failed to score on six shots on goal.
Jesuit increased its lead to 2-0 when Bertel scored on a diving header in the goal box off a corner kick at 68 minutes.
"My teammate Andrew Ehrhardt told me to stay at the back post, and I did, the ball came right to me," Bertel said.
"It felt good when it left my head."
Brother Martin (12-6-1, 3-3) cut Jesuit's lead to 2-1 when Kenneth Schiffman scored at 73 minutes.
Then, Jesuit stopped four shots by Brother Martin in the waning minutes of the match.
"I'm pleased with the result, but overall our performance left some room for improvement," Collins said.
But Collins decision not to change anything paid dividends for Jesuit.
"This is a good rivalry and good competition, and it gives the folks something to talk about," Smothermon said.
"We've competed very well."

Jays Cruise to Victory Over the Owls, 5-0

Senior Blake Day (4) is about to pass a Chalmette defender Saturday afternoon.
The Jays secured another win, 5-0, to remain undefeated in district play.

View the Jesuit-Chalmette Photo Gallery.

Blue Jay Soccer Shuts Out Rummel, 1-0

BROTHER MARTIN 2, JESUIT 1: Brother Martin Coach Louie Smothermon needed two years and 95 minutes to do it, but he finally beat Jesuit.

"I'm not sure how long it's been really," Smothermon said. "I know I've never beaten them, and I've been here two years now, so it's been at least two years. I really just feel satisfied that we've played well for a few games in a row with this tournament."

Brother Martin senior forward Mike Paternostro scored the winning goal with five minutes left in the second overtime at the semifinals of the St. Paul's Classic. Brother Martin will play Caddo Magnet today at 1 p.m. in the final.

Brother Martin defeated Fontainebleau 2-1 and Jesuit beat Baton Rouge-Catholic 3-1 in the quarterfinals. Jesuit Coach Hubie Collins said the tournament had taken a physical toll on the Blue Jays.

"I think Brother Martin showed up in better shape than us, and I think they played harder than we did," Collins said. "They may be a bit more fit in general."

Each team had seven shots on goal in the first half, and the Crusaders broke the tie when senior forward Hunter Leblanc scored 20 minutes into the half. Jesuit sophomore defender Patrick Mullins scored with three minutes left in regulation.

"We were trying to sit back and just play defense," Leblanc said. "We took Jesuit out of their game, and that let things open up for us. Instead of trying to match Jesuit's intensity, which they're known for, we just focused on defending them and using counterattacks to get good shots."

Jesuit soccer coach Hubie Collins said his team is developing an identity of its own, moving from the shadow of last season's undefeated state champion.

If the first day of the St. Paul's Tournament is any indication, the Blue Jays look much like the powerful teams of their past.

Jesuit (10-1-4), the two-time defending champion of the holiday tournament, easily won its two matches on the first day of competition in Covington, beating St. Martin's 7-0 and Mandeville 4-0 on Friday in pool play.

The Blue Jays need a victory against Baton Rouge-Catholic, also 2-0 in pool play, today to advance to this afternoon's semifinals. Waiting there could be rival Brother Martin, which, like Jesuit, had an easy time in its two matches. The Crusaders (10-3) got by St. Charles 2-0 and Dutchtown 6-0.

Should Jesuit and Brother Martin win their final pool-play matches, they would meet at 6 p.m. at St. Paul's in the semifinals.

Caddo, which got a late goal to defeat host St. Paul's 2-1 on Friday, leads its pool at 2-0. Acadiana and Vandebilt, which tied, are tied for the lead in their pool at 1-0-1.

"This was a very good day for us," said Jesuit senior center midfielder Jake Miranda, who returned to the lineup after missing the past two months because of a broken leg. "This is the first time we've had a full squad. We moved the ball well on offense. And we got two shutouts on defense. This tournament is a great way for us to evaluate where we are."

Seven players scored for Jesuit in its opening match against St. Martin's. Against fellow Division I opponent Mandeville, four players scored.

"One of the keys is to adapt to the conditions -- the wind, a wet field -- and I thought we did that," said Collins. "This team has separated itself from the others. One thing they've done is put last year behind them. They're able to focus on the things we have to do without the worry of (the unbeaten streak)."

Brother Martin Coach Louie Smothermon said his team got off to a sluggish start against St. Charles. Jordan Scott scored two second-half goals to give the Crusaders the victory.

"After some choice words at the half, we played better," Smothermon said. "The second game, I thought we attacked better, got a big lead and stayed focus."

The Crusaders will face Fontainebleau today in its final pool play match. The Bulldogs tied Dutchtown 2-2 then defeated St. Charles 2-0 to finish the first day 1-0-1. A victory by Fontainebleau would send it to the semifinals.