Jesuit players celebrate their 2-1 double-overtime victory over St. Paul’s for the Division I soccer state championship Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at Tad Gormley Stadium.

Jesuit’s varsity soccer team spotted St. Paul’s a 1-0 lead at the half. Sometimes, that can be a good thing for the Jays.

Whatever head coach Hubie Collins told his players at halftime, it had to be transformational and inspirational because the Blue Jays emerged from the locker room under the stands at Tad Gormley Stadium on Saturday evening, February 23, as a different team focused on one objective: defeating St. Paul’s and winning Jesuit’s 12th state soccer championship.

On a corner kick, senior Joe Kepper headed the ball into the Wolves’ net to tie the score, 1-1. Despite controlling the ball the entire second half, the Jays had numerous opportunites to score and take the lead. Their shots on goal were just missing, hitting the cross bar, whizzing over the top, trickling off to the side. At the end of regulation play, the score was tied and, for the first time, the LHSAA state match for Division 1 teams went into overtime.

With only a couple of minutes left in the second OT, the Jays showed why they are one of the most dangerous teams to defend against on corner kicks. Senior Sebastian Pereira-Pinzon came out of nowhere and headed the ball smack into the Wolves’ goal. The final whistle blew soon afterwards.

Jesuit’ players mob teammate Sebastian Pereira-Pinzon, center, after he scored the winning goal for a 2-1 double-overtime victory over St. Paul’s for the Division I soccer state championship Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at Tad Gormley Stadium.

This was the third consecutive appearance for Jesuit and St. Paul’s in the state championship match. The Wolves won in 2011 and the Jays reclaimed the title in 2012. The win this evening fulfills the ultimate goal that the players focused on at the beginning of the season — successfully defending last year’s state title by winning a 12th state championship. Consider it done.

Congratulations to Coach Hubie Collins and assistant coaches David Storm and Steven Cabos ’11.

Jesuit players celebrate their 2-1 double-overtime victory over St. Paul’s for the Division I soccer state championship Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at Tad Gormley Stadium.