By DAVID ERSOFF, Journal Sports
Tuesday’s heavy rains stalled their state boys Division III quarterfinal soccer showdown but Bossier’s Bearkats made the wait worthwhile.
With an exception given by the LHSAA to play a day after the deadline to finish quarterfinal action, No. 3 Bossier (18-6-2) edged No. 6 St. Louis Catholic (9-8-4) Wednesday night by 3-2, in thrilling fashion, at Bossier Memorial Stadium.
Bryan Tuyizere’s penalty kick in extra time was the winning margin for the Bearkats, who became the sixth local prep soccer team to reach the semifinal round.
Loyola and Calvary have both boys and girls teams still going, along with the Byrd girls and now, the Bearkats.
Bossier will travel to second-seeded University Lab (19-2-2) this weekend aiming to reach next week’s state championship game. U-High blanked No. 7 E.D. White 3-0 Monday in the quarterfinals.
After Tuesday’s weather, the skies did not clear Wednesday as hoped, but fear of a rain-soaked game ended early in the afternoon. Rain abated, but wind did not, and it was a factor, impacting both teams throughout the game. The crowd was large and full of very enthusiastic fans with both sides supported by large cheering sections, full of loud horns, cow bells and advantage home team — the Bossier band. If you wanted a quiet game, this was not it.
The contest started with a gesture of sportsmanship. Bossier senior Ethan Bamburg, who sustained a recent season-ending injury, was allowed to start. The Saints had the kickoff, but kicked it directly out of bounds so Bamburg could be subbed off. Bossier then threw the ball in directly to their opponents to set the game back in balance. Such acts demonstrate that the kids are what’s important. Kudos to both coaching staffs.
The Bearkats had the wind at their backs in the first half. With this came some good through balls, but also many passes overhit, sailing harmlessly out of bounds. Most of the play went from the midfield to the St. Louis defensive third. The Bearkats had 4-5 dangerous attacks at goal, but could not put the ball on frame, barely missing on two occasions. The Saints had three solid counters but never got anything that cracked the Bossier backline.
In the 37th minute Bossier had a free kick from the left wing, about 35 yards out, and Fernando Acuna sent the ball into the Saints’ box. After it bounced around, Wilson Alvarado was able to put in the net for a 1-0 Bossier lead. The Saints were not content to go into halftime down. They had their most dangerous attack yet but the ball went out harmlessly for a goal kick.
The second half started with St. Louis pushing a bit harder, and with the wind in their favor, the visitors began to gain confidence. Their opportunities increased, despite no shots on goal. Twenty minutes in, the Saints were awarded a penalty kick in the Bossier box. The visotors’ Will Flavin calmly slotted the PK into the net, tying the match at 1.
It took less than four minutes for the Saints to take their first lead. Tucker Williams hit a beautiful free kick into the box and a charging Flavin got his head to it as the visiting crowd went wild. This happiness didn’t last long at all — within a minute the Bearkats had the ball at the Saints’ goal, resulting in a corner kick. Acuna hit a beauty, finding Leonardo Villareal to tie it.
The last 15 minutes got chippy with both fan bases begging for calls for the referee, but he did not agree. As the game entered extra time (injury time added to the end of a game), the Saints were called for a handball in their own box, and a Bearkat penalty kick was awarded. Tuyizere hit a no-doubter into the side netting to the delight of the home crowd. Bossier was up 3-2, but was not out of the woods yet.
Extended time seemed to go on forever, if you were a Bearkat fan. There was just not enough for the Saints’ crowd. Moments before the final whistle, Flavin had a strong shot, but a big save from Bossier keeper Logan Bamberg preserved the triumph.
Contact David at dersoff@bellsouth.net