Dire Straits for Brother Martin as Jesuit Gets Its Kicks for Free
Christopher Pitre and Chase Rushing each scored on sensational free kicks in Jesuit’s 2-1 victory over Brother Martin on Saturday, Jan. 23.
Two sensational free kicks lifted Jesuit’s soccer team to a 2-1 district win on the road over Brother Martin on Saturday, Jan. 23.
The Jays gambled by opting to play into the wind in the first half. After the first 40 minutes ended in a scoreless tie, coach Hubie Collins felt good about that call. But then the wind died down, negating the second half tactical advantage.
With each passing minute, the spirited Brother Martin crowd grew more vocal, sensing the possibility of an upset (Jesuit was ranked fourth in the latest Louisiana High School Soccer Coaches Association poll, while Brother Martin checked in at No. 7).
Fifteen minutes into the second half, Jesuit finally broke through with a perfectly placed 25-yard free kick by senior Chase Rushing.
Brother Martin then caught the Jays basking in the afterglow of that goal, answering less than a minute later when Blake Robbins dribbled through several defenders to score the Crusaders’ only goal.
Jesuit frantically assaulted the Crusader keeper the rest of the way, coming up with near miss after near miss. When the Jays lined up for a free kick with approximately ten minutes left, junior Christopher Pitre wasn’t looking to score. After all, he was near midfield, more than 40 yards out. “I thought I would just put a ball in the box and give us a chance,” Pitre told the New Orleans Advocate. Instead, Pitre drilled a shot that cleared the keeper’s outstretched arms and then almost immediately lost all of its momentum to drop well below the crossbar.
With the win, Jesuit improves to 20-3-1 on the season and takes command of District 6-1. Jesuit now controls its own destiny in its quest for the district title. They can clinch with wins over L. W. Higgins and Chalmette. The Higgins match is first up, with kick-off slated for 4:30 on Wednesday, Jan. 27 at John Ryan Stadium.
Read More
TheNewOrleansAdvocate.com – Christopher Pitre’s long free kick gives Jesuit win over Brother Martin
SportsNola.com – Jesuit downs Brother Martin again
Galleries
Soccer vs. Brother Martin, Jan. 23, 2016
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Shane Lanson goes high for the save. -
Patrick Rye heads the ball. -
Colin Parenton collides with the goalie. -
Chase Rushing holds off a defender. -
Braden Brignac goes for the ball. -
Ethan Camet unleashes a shot as a Crusader defender braces for impact. -
Colin Pitre and Chase Rushing both scored on free kicks. -
Chris Zelenka directs the ball. -
Fans were bundled up on the sidelines. -
Evan Hatrel almost beats the keeper to the ball. -
Charles Rice races downfield. -
Jose Aleman beats a defender. -
Patrick Rye always seems to play above the crowd. -
Chase Rushing eludes a slide tackle. -
Matthew Valerio fights for possession. -
Charles Rice challenges on a corner kick. -
Hunt Navar takes off but... -
...ends up in a Crusader sandwich. -
In this sequence Christopher Pitre controls the ball with his head... -
...sets up with his feet... -
...and makes sure the defender won't interfere with his shot. -
Braden Brignac races through traffic. -
Jose Aleman controls the ball. -
Christopher Pitre's winning goal just clears the keeper... -
...then loses all momentum and falls comfortably under the crossbar. -
Dillon Fuchs plays keep-away in the closing moments. -
Christopher Pitre talks about his game winner with a reporter from The New Orleans Advocate.
