By DAVID ERSOFF, Journal Sports
Good news: there are some really good local matchups just ahead in high school boys soccer, with less than a month remaining in the regular season
Teams are hoping to build momentum toward postseason. But this past weekend’s results did not provide the start several top local teams wanted.
Loyola, atop this week’s Shreveport-Bossier Journal coaches poll, headed to the EIL tournament hosted by Teurlings Catholic in Lafayette along with Captain Shreve, Byrd and Caddo Magnet. It was tough sledding for the locals against strong competition in Cajun country. Byrd’s 0-0-2 showing was best among the trio.
The Flyers lost both their matches, first to Teurlings 3-0, followed by a 2-0 loss to Catholic of Baton Rouge. Loyola has a light slate this week, only facing district rival Sterlington tonight at Messmer Stadium.
The break is designed to have the Flyers well rested for their tattle against the SBJ’s second-ranked Bossier Bearkats next Monday, also at Messmer. This highly anticipated game has been a powerhouse showdown over the last three years, with the teams each winning one before last year’s 0-0 tie. A playoff-type atmosphere and a standing room only crowd is expected.
As for Bossier’s recent action, the Bearkats traveled to Alexandria a week ago falling to the Trojans in a heartbreaker 2-1 on a late goal. Bossier meets Minden tonight before hosting Parkway on Friday, then gets the weekend to prepare for the Flyers.
The Byrd Yellow Jackets’ visit to the EIL tournament brought two 2-2 ties, first with Acadiana, then with David Thibodaux. Friday, Byrd will host a feisty Benton Tigers team that has secured ties with both Loyola and Bossier earlier this season. This is the first of the three games between Byrd, Benton and Shreve that will determine the district champion.
Benton took the holidays off and begins the New Year with a tough non-district game, as they host Neville tonight before going to Byrd on Friday.
Caddo Magnet was the only local team at the EIL tournament that brought home a victory, the Mustangs beat Episcopal of Acadiana 4-2. All was not rosy for the Mustangs as they lost 5-1 to David Thibodaux, followed by a3-1 loss to Teurlings Catholic.
Magnet has three games this week, beginning tonight against Parkway, followed by battles against Evangel Thursday and Calvary on Saturday.
Captain Shreve played the only game last week before the New Year, hosting Neville and the Gators won 3-1. Shreve did not fare as well at the EIL, losing both games, first 2-0 to Catholic, then 3-1 to host Teurlings.
The Gators travel to Northwood on Wednesday, then to Haughton on Saturday.
After garnering a few votes in the last SBJ coaches poll, the Calvary Cavaliers lost all their support after a holiday break. They have a busy week, with four games, starting Monday night with a 6-0 win over Huntington. The Cavaliers host Evangel tonight, followed by a trip to Sterlington on Thursday. They will hope to gain back the voters’ respect when they face No. 5 Caddo Magnet on Saturday.
This week’s SBJ boys soccer coaches poll with school, record, poll points, first place votes:
1, Loyola (5-5-2), 25 (5)
2, Bossier (6-6-2), 13
3, Byrd (6-5-5), 11
4, Benton (6-5-2) 10
5, Caddo Magnet (7-4-2) 9
Others receiving votes: Captain Shreve (7).
Contact David at dersoff@bellsouth.net