NISH, Westgate play in Showcase

Published 2:00 pm Wednesday, December 26, 2012

LAKE CHARLES — New Iberia Senior High and Westgate both competed in the Showcase of Soccer Tournament this past weekend, with NISH playing in the Orange Division and Westgate advancing to the Blue Division semifinals.

New Iberia

The Yellow Jackets (5-6-3) tied Division II’s top-ranked Beau Chene 1-1, lost to Division II’s second-ranked St. Louis 1-0 and tied Division I’s 11th-ranked East Ascension 0-0. NISH is among teams receiving votes in the latest Louisiana High School Soccer Coaches Association polls.

“This was probably the toughest tournament bracket we have ever face, said NISH coach Kevin Hardy. “The Showcase is the hardest tournament we go to and we had not been there in a few years. It has two divisions — an upper and a lower. We had been in the lower division in the past because we were a middle of the road program. It was quite a show of respect to be promoted to play with the elite teams. Unfortunately, it comes in a year where we are average compared to the last few years. Frankly, I did not like our prospects. I was pleasantly surprised by our strong performance. We were the underdog in all three games and yet in all three we outplayed our more skilled opponents.”

Against Beau Chene, NISH went up on a shot by Alan Thomas and was hanging onto the lead but BCHS scored off a long throw-in to tie the game.

“We were aware of this weapon and had prepared for it, said Hardy. “Jalen Gray and the rest of the boys had done an outstanding job defending against the multiple opportunities until that last one. The frustrating thing is that the goal should not have been allowed because no-one touched the ball before it went in. However, the ref saw a phantom touch and allowed the tie.”

Against St. Louis, Hardy said, NISH came out strong but St. Louis took the lead because of the Jackets’ inability to clear the ball out of the defensive third. NISH had a chance to tie the game but a penalty shot went awry and the referee did not call another one on what Hardy said was an obvious obstruction foul.

Hardy said a strong wind made the East Ascension game difficult for both teams, especially for his team which struggles with accuracy issues even in calm weather. 

“We also played a bit tired because we did not go deep into the bench in the first two games,” Hardy said. “We had some good looks, but the shots were errant. Actually, East Ascension had the better opportunities, but our goalie Jordan Gray was amazing.”

New Iberia grew as a team in the tourney, the coach said.

“We played aggressive, but disciplined and fair,” he said. “I hope the boys have learned that this style can throw other teams off. The problem is this style is exhausting and we are not that deep. I am still looking for some help off the bench. We are also being adversely impacted by injuries. In fact, one of our most dangerous players (Andrew Ricks) has been playing with a broken nose and is now lost for the season due to the upcoming surgery. We will need someone to step up and fill that forward spot.”

Hardy said that with only one goal in three games, his team has a problem finishing, but the team also gave up only two goals against high quality squads.

New Iberia plays host to Comeaux in a non-district match Friday at Lloyd G. Porter Memorial Stadium.

Westgate

The Tigers matched up against the 12th-ranked team in Division II, St. Michael’s of Baton Rouge, to open the tournament Friday and won 3-1, with the Warriors’ only goal coming off the head of a Tiger defender while attempting to prevent a corner kick.

Eric San had two goals and an assist and Ryan Huynh scored his first career goal in the game. Other assists came from Nick Jackson and Andrew Rajack.

Saturday morning, Westgate faced St. Pius of Houston and trailed 1-0 at half, but came back in the second half to secure a 5-1 victory.Taylor Pellerin scored 2 goals, while Eric San, Nick Jackson, Tyler Jackson had one apiece Pellerin and San each had an assist.

“I was pleased with our team’s ability to reverse the momentum generated by their opponent and dominate the match,” said WHS coach Richard Pellerin. “This is a group of cohesive student-athletes who are really beginning to gel as a team and believe in themselves.”

Pellerin scored the only goal in the Westgate’s match against Deridder on a strike from 25 yards out for his 85th career goal.

Richard Pellerin said the shot was one of the prettiest of Taylor Pellerin’s career.

“It was a power shot under pressure,” the coach said. “It bent to the upper 90 and was too much for the Deridder keeper to stop.”

San was credited with the assist. The Tigers held their 1-0 first half lead to secure their spot in the semi-final match.

“Deridder was a big and physical team who are ranked ninth in Division II,” said Coach Pellerin. “This was a solid victory for us. Our defense continues to play well. Tyler Jackson secured the victory with a shutout as keeper, along with defenders Andrew Rajack, Corey Lasalle, Dylon Sengsouly and Nik Clay.”

Barbe beat Westgate 1-0 in the semifinals, scoring midway through the second half.

“It was a well-played, intense match,” said Pellerin. “We played hard and I am pleased. This tournament helped our game and is preparing us for district play. We played four games in two days with three substitutes I am a realist. We gave it our all and we improved as a team. That’s all I can ask.”

WHS plays in the St. Landry Cup this weekend. The Tigers were tourney finalists last year.