St. Tammany News

SPS, last year's Division I runnerup, finishes with 26 wins

Junior Adam West notched the game's lone goal in the 13th minute to spark the Caddo Magnet Mustangs to a thrilling 1-0 semifinal victory over the St. Paul's Wolves Saturday at Hunter Stadium.

St. Paul's Scott Mayer (18) gains possession being pressured by Caddo Magnet's Alex Blandin in Saturday's semifinal playoff game at Hunter Stadium. Caddo Magnet took a 1-0 victory to advance to Saturday's Division I championship game at Independence Stadium in Shreveport. (Staff Photo by Mike Pervel)

Caddo Magnet (27-1) now advances to the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Division I state soccer championship against Woodlawn. The championship tilt is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday at Independence Stadium in Shreveport.

West got open from 18 yards out on the right wing and blistered the ball in the net. Caddo Magnet junior Zach Kelly was credited with the assist.

"It was just a little floated ball at the top over the defense. I just put it in at the far post just barely over the keeper's head. I've been playing soccer for a long time, and this is the pinnacle of my career. It's been a great year for us," West said.

St. Paul's (26-4-1), last season's Division I state runner-up to Jesuit, had a number of quality shots on goal, but Caddo Magnet senior goalkeeper Christopher Hilario was up to the task denying St. Paul's en route to posting the 1-0 semifinal victory. Hilario came up big, keeping the Wolves off the board as he roamed the Mustangs' net.

"I knew I would have to play almost a perfect game. Thanks to my defense. They helped me out a lot. I just wanted to do my best for my teammates," Hilario said.

"Out of all of my games this year, this is by far the best team we have played. I'm proud that my team was able to pull it out," said the senior goalkeeper.

Caddo Magnet won the St. Paul's 25th Holiday Invitational back in December, downing the Wolves, 2-1. Caddo's only blemish to this point was a 1-0 loss to Captain Shreve.

"St. Paul's did a great job of pressing us in our half. It was a frustrating game because we gave up a lot of fouls. It was a very physical, and emotional game," Caddo Magnet coach Radi Baltov said.

He said after his team scored the goal they decided to play a little more defense.

"We tried to get them on the counter attack. They created a few chances, but we did a good job clearing the ball out. It was a great game. We knew that St. Paul's is very good with set pieces," Baltov said.

St. Paul's coach Trevor Watkins said the low scoring game didn't surprise him. Watkins named Ian McDougall as the Wolves' top defender.

"Both defenses have come up big all season long. Their keeper (Hilario) made some tremendous saves as Ian (McDougall) did for us. Both defenses really showed their ability in the match. We knew it would be very tight. Unfortunately, for us they got the goal," Watkins said.

St. Paul's dominated ball possession during the match, out shooting Caddo Magnet, 18-10. The Wolves took 10 shots on goal in the first half compared to six for Caddo. SPS rifled off eight shots in the second half, while Caddo took four.

St. Paul's was the aggressor on the offensive end in the first half, which resulted in four corner kicks.

Hilario turned the Wolves away three times in a five-minute span.

Following West's goal, St. Paul's continued to control play in the Caddo Magnet side of the field. Wolves' senior captain Michael Pellissier got off a header in the 20th minute, following a free kick. Pellissier's header slid just wide left with Ross Dupriest rushing on goal.

In the 34th minute, St. Paul's Dupriest generated a shot from 25 yards out with Hilario making a diving effort for the save. Following a St. Paul's corner kick in the 37th minute, Scott Mayer got in position for a shot that was deflected away on a hustle play by Caddo Magnet defender Victor Leuck deep in the Mustangs' zone.

In the 38th minute, Caddo Magnet's Alex Blandin made a couple nice dribble moves, getting past two St. Paul's defenders before firing off a shot from 15 yards out. McDougall, the Wolves' senior goal keeper, who helped post 18 shutouts on the season, made a nice stop after Blandon had gotten past the Wolves' defense.

Caddo Magnet's Leuck threatened with a close in shot from 10 yards out after getting a pass from Kelly, but McDougall smothered the ball with a diving save.

In the 52nd minute, St. Paul's Guy Guinot fired off a shot from 15 yards out. Pellissier followed up with a rebound shot that clanked off the left post.

St. Paul's continued its offensive pressure during the next eight minutes, resulting in two consecutive corner kicks.

St. Paul's dodged a bullet in the 68th minute, when a Wolves' defender almost inadvertently headed the ball in net in an attempt to clear it. McDougall made a quick reaction to cover up the ball.

With time winding down, St. Paul's did its best to push the ball up field, while Caddo Magnet was content to just send the ball deep after gaining possession.

Watkins said despite the disappointing loss, he was extremely proud of his team.

"This crew took us to the state championship game last year, and this year to the semifinals. We keep knocking on that door, and hopefully one of these years we'll open it," Watkins added.

Senior Taylor Vairin shared his thoughts on the heartbreaking loss.

"Everybody gave it everything they had right up to the last minute. Caddo's goalkeeper was fantastic. He blocked some shots that I can't figure out how he got there. Ian (McDougall) had some tremendous saves for us. Both keepers earned their keep," Vairin said.

SPS assistant coach Hector Vasquez said he figured it would be a defensive struggle. "Caddo Magnet is the best defensive team I have ever seen. They were well organized, and their keeper (Hilario) was outstanding. He was very acrobatic," Vasquez said.

"We wanted to see the playoff run continue to an optimal conclusion of winning a state championship, but you can't take away the tremendous season we had," Vasquez added.