The Louisiana High School Soccer Coaches Association inaugural boys’ and girls’ all-star classic took place Saturday July 11 at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette giving seniors, who graduated an opportunity to play one more game to cap off their high school careers. The setting was also special for two long-time soccer coaches Fontainebleau’s Rusty Brauner and St. Scholastica Academy’s Art Lyons, who were inducted into the LHSSCA Hall of Fame.

In the girls’ contest, the West squad grabbed a 4-3 victory over their East counterpart. The West built a 2-0 halftime lead on goals by Cayla Chatman (Vandebilt Catholic) and Rebecca Landry (New Iberia). The East got on the board with Reyna Lubin (St. Charles Catholic) finding the net to cut the margin to 2-1. The West’s Rachel Burger (Comeaux) answered with a goal to make it 3-1. The East got back in it with Fontainebleau grad Kaley Blanton punching in a goal to cut the deficit to 3-2.

The West fought back with Chatman netting her second goal to build a 4-2 advantage. The East’s Margaret Eggers (St. Joseph’s) finished off the scoring.

kaley blanton

East goalkeeper Hannah Linzay (Bolton) played the first half with Mandeville graduate Amy Howard minding the net in the second half. Howard was credited with six saves.

St. Scholastica Academy’s Kelly Gautreaux, Mandeville’s Bailey Kleis, Fontainebleau’s Sydney Robbins and Pearl River’s Kim Treese also participated in the match on the East squad.

In the boys’ match, the East squad earned a 3-0 victory over the West team after the clubs played through a scoreless first half. Ryan Landry (Catholic of Baton Rouge) tallied the match’s initial goal in the first minute of the second half. Caesar Vallin (East Ascension) and Daniel Moise (Jesuit) followed with goals to help spark the East to victory, which was coached by Jesuit’s Hubie Collins.

Fontainebleau’s Peyton Adkins and St. Paul’s Scott Mayer participated in the event representing St. Tammany Parish on the victorious East team.

LHSSCA 1st Vice President Sean Esker and current Mandeville High girls’ soccer coach, said the games were a big success.

“As a member of the executive committee, it was my job to plan and coordinate the games. I think the event went better than anyone could have expected,” Esker said. “We had two quality games with great players participating. It was a good crowd and everybody seemed to be very positive and upbeat about something that I feel has been a long time coming,” Esker added.

Esker said thanks to the coaches, who took part in the event nominating players and the parents of the players that supported the high-quality event.

The inaugural event also brought on a tremendous opportunity to recognize Brauner and Lyons, who have made their mark over the years in St. Tammany Parish high school athletics. At halftime of the girls’ game, Brauner and Lyons were honored by the LHSSCA being inducted into the organization’s hall of fame.

Former Fontainebleau player Jesse Hrapmann, the 2004 state finals MVP from the championship match won by the Lady Bulldogs over the Mandeville Lady Skippers, presented Brauner with his plaque. Esker assisted with Brauner’s presentation and presented coach Lyons with his plaque.

Brauner was the founding girls’ soccer coach at Fontainebleau High when the school began the program in 1994. He served as the team’s head varsity soccer coach from 1994 until his retirement following the 2007 season. He compiled an overall record of 206-52-16. He brought FHS to its first varsity playoff berth in 1997 and followed that with 10 more consecutive appearances for 11 straight playoff appearances. His teams won or shared the district championship six straight times (2002-2007). He was voted district coach of the year twice (2003 and 2004). Brauner coached the Lady Bulldogs to their first state championship as a school in any sport when his club won the 2oo4 Division I soccer championship, being voted the LHSSCA Division I Coach of the Year along with Times Picayune Metro Coach of the Year and News Banner Girls Coach of the Year. Brauner currently heads the Fontainebleau Athletic Alumni Association.

Lyons was the founding soccer coach for the St. Scholastica Academy Doves. He coached SSA from 1992-2003 when he retired from the sideline. During his high school career, he recorded a 180-44 overall record. His players won or shared district titles seven times, including the last five years of his tenure. After reaching the state semifinals in 2002, the SSA Doves advanced to the title game for the first time in school history in 2003. In what would be Lyons’ final game as head coach, SSA played in front of an excited home crowd before bowing to the eventual Division II champions from Ben Franklin.

Lyons laid the foundation for St. Scholastica’s athletic success not only on the soccer field (resulting in Division II state title in 2007 and a Division I championship in 2009) but also in the athletic department. He has served as the SSA athletic director since 1995. It was his vision that gave SSA its own soccer and softball complex with lighted facilities near the school.

His involvement with soccer also included his work with the Mandeville Lakers, which he co-founded in 1989, and the Louisiana Soccer Association. He was the Girls Commissioner for the state from 1992-1994. During his tenure, the Louisiana Olympic Development Program expanded to include all age groups for the first time in Louisiana history.

Lyons graduated from East Jefferson High School and has a master’s degree from Loyola University. He is a certified high school social studies teacher and resides in Covington.