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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Chase Rushing eludes a slide tackle.
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Christopher Pitre talks about his game winner with a reporter from The New Orleans Advocate.
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Dillon Fuchs plays keep-away in the closing moments.
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...then loses all momentum and falls comfortably under the crossbar.
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Christopher Pitre's winning goal just clears the keeper...
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Jose Aleman controls the ball.
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Braden Brignac races through traffic.
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...and makes sure the defender won't interfere with his shot.
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...sets up with his feet...
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In this sequence Christopher Pitre controls the ball with his head...
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...ends up in a Crusader sandwich.
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Hunt Navar takes off but...
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Charles Rice challenges on a corner kick.
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Matthew Valerio fights for possession.
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Shane Lanson goes high for the save.
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Patrick Rye always seems to play above the crowd.
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Jose Aleman beats a defender.
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Charles Rice races downfield.
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Evan Hatrel almost beats the keeper to the ball.
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Fans were bundled up on the sidelines.
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Chris Zelenka directs the ball.
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Colin Pitre and Chase Rushing both scored on free kicks.
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Ethan Camet unleashes a shot as a Crusader defender braces for impact.
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Braden Brignac goes for the ball.
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Chase Rushing holds off a defender.
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Colin Parenton collides with the goalie.
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Patrick Rye heads the ball.