By DAVID ERSOFF, Journal Sports
Captain Shreve was unbeaten in five games and stayed No. 1 in the Week 2 Shreveport-Bossier Journal Boys Soccer Coaches’ Poll, while Loyola moved up to the second spot.
Shreve, Benton and Bossier traveled to tournaments this past weekend, with the Gators and Tigers competing in Pineville and Bossier playing in Covington. Loyola hosted a round robin of games with three south Louisiana teams making the trip up I-49. Caddo Magnet joined in the fun with Flyers.
The Gators began the week with wins over regional powers Ouachita (5-4) and Alexandria (3-1) before heading to the Pineville tournament. Shreve began with a solid 2-0 victory over a top Division IV team, Holy Savior Menard, before two 3-3 ties with solid Division 1 south Louisiana teams, Barbe and Hahnville. The Gators are off until next week.
After a strong week, winning all four games they played, the Flyers picked up two first-place votes and jumped to the No. 2 spot in this week’s poll.
Loyola began the week beating Magnet 3-0. Instead of going to a tournament, the Flyers invited some teams from the I-10/12 corridor, and beat all three teams that came north. Friday, the Flyers defeated Pope John Paul II 4-1. Saturday they dispatched St Thomas Aquinas 2-0 and St. Michael’s 4-1. Loyola will host DeRidder today.
The Bossier Bearkats went outside their comfort zone by attending a big tournament in Covington hosted by Archbishop Hannan. All started well with a 3-1 victory Friday over the hosts. Saturday Bossier met last year’s Division II’s state champion, Holy Cross, and put up a good fight but fell 3-1. Just over two hours later the Bearkats faced last year’s Division I’s No. 3 seed, Denham Springs, and struggled. The travel and three games against top opponents got to the Bearkats as they fell 5-0. Bossier will try to get back on track at Northwood today at noon.
Benton began the week with a 1-1 tie against Parkway, before heading to Pineville for the Rebels’ tournament. The Tigers had a good weekend, beating Alexandria 5-1 and Southside 1-0 before falling 2-0 to Baton Rouge Magnet High School. Benton will return to action after Thanksgiving.
Byrd’s Yellow Jackets are off this week and will return to action Dec. 3.
After falling 3-0 to the Flyers early last week, the Caddo Magnet Mustangs played a couple of the opponents that Loyola faced. Friday the Mustangs lost to St Michael’s 2-1, followed Saturday by a hard-fought 1-0 loss to Pope John Paul II. Magnet returns to action Dec. 3 against Captain Shreve.
Jumping back into the coaches poll is Northwood, who defeated Haughton 4-, last Tuesday. The Falcons will host Bossier today before breaking for the holiday.
Thanksgiving week has traditionally been a light week for games, with only a couple local contests scheduled. For that reason, the coaches poll will take a week off and will resume Dec. 10.
Week 2 SBJ Coaches Boys Soccer Poll
Rank Team (1st) Record Pts Last week
1 Captain Shreve (7) 5-1-2 61 1
2 Loyola (2) 7-0-2 51 3
3 Bossier 2-3-1 47 2
4 Benton 4-3-1 34 4
5 Byrd 1-1-1 25 5
6 Caddo Magnet 2-4-1 16 6
7 Northwood 1-1-0 9 NR
Also receiving votes — Minden (4), Parkway (3), North DeSoto (1), Evangel (1).
Contact David at dersoff@bellsouth.net