By DAVID ERSOFF, Journal Sports
Bossier’s Bearcats advanced the state soccer Division III semifinals for the first time in school history with a 3-1 overtime victory at No. 12 North Vermillion Wednesday.
Bossier, the No. 4 seed, got two goals from Kelvis Cristales and the other from Jorge Alfaro. Hilder Quintanilla had two assists for the Kats. Keeper Marco Rodriguez had five saves including a high level save in the second overtime period to keep the Bearkats in the game.
The two schools were tied 1-1 after regulation and remained tied after the first of the two 10-minute overtime periods. In the second overtime period Cristales had the game-winner for Bossier. The Kats added an insurance goal to cruise to the victory.
“It was a tough fought game for both teams” said coach Orlando Medelin. ”They made it hard on us to penetrate their back line, but we kept the pressure throughout the game and we were finally rewarded.”
Bossier travels to No. 2 Vandebilt Catholic on Saturday for the semifinals.
In girls Division I, Captain Shreve fell to No. 5 Dutchtown 4-0 in a quarterfinal match at Lee Hedges Stadium.
Shreve, the No. 4 seed, started the game strong, pressing the goal, hitting the woodwork twice and with multiple shots saved by the keeper. The Lady Gators also had a goal called back on a tight offsides call.
Dutchtown did not have as many opportunities in the first half, but the visitors were able to finish twice for a 2-0 lead at the half.
In the second half the Lady Gators kept the pressure on until the 24th minute when Dutchtown scored its third goal. As time was running out, opportunities dried up for the Lady Gators. Dutchtown added a goal late in the game.
Avery Watson had nine saves in goal for Shreve, which finished its season 25-3-2.
“While it is always disappointing when the season ends and you feel you didn’t have your best game, I am so proud of all of the girls and what they have accomplished this year.” said coach Erik Lane. “Our program has been on a non-stop upward climb for the past three years. This is a reflection of the hard work, faith, teamwork and drive to succeed that these young ladies display every day.
“We won all three tournaments that we participated in, went 2-0-1 against the big Shreveport rivals and advanced to the D1 quarterfinals for the first time in school history. We will miss all our seniors who have given so much to our program, but we are also excited about the future with all of our outstanding returning players and the amazing young ladies that will begin their high school careers next year at Captain Shreve.”
Benton’s boys traveled to Metairie for a Division II quarterfinal match with No. 3 East Jefferson and came up on the short end of a 3-1 score.
R.J. Moore had the lone goal for the No. 6 Tigers. Joseph Corsino had five saves in goal for coach Bryan George’s squad.
“This was truly a great group of men,” said George. “The senior class will go down as the most decorated group in the 11-year history of Benton soccer. They set a precedent and standard for all future players to follow. Blessed to spend the past four years with them.”
The Lady Tigers’ season came to an end as well, falling 4-0 to Neville in Monroe in a Division II quarterfinal.
As the Neville boys did at home Tuesday night, these Lady Tigers got revenge to losses suffered at the hands of Benton during the season. The Lady Tigers had a strong season for the second year in a row with back-to-back quarterfinal appearances.
“I’ve never been so proud of a team in all my years of coaching, to never give up in a game with everything on the line,” said coach Nicholas Thompson. “To keep fighting for a win despite all the terrible things going on speaks volumes of these girls. We will learn and we will continue to get better.”
Photo by DAVID ERSOFF
