Holy Cross celebrates in its special way after soccer title

Video: Holy Cross coach Matt Millet, junior Sebastian Aguilar on state soccer championship

NEW ORLEANS – Among the traditions at Louisiana high schools, few are older or greater than the ringing of the victory bell at Holy Cross.

The ringing of the bell is saved for extraordinary achievements in both academic and extra-curricular activities. Last Thursday’s Division II state soccer championship certainly qualifies among the latter.

Five days following the 3-1 victory over Beau Chene for the school’s first-ever soccer title, the Tiger seniors each got a turn to ring the victory bell at a Tuesday afternoon celebration on the Paris Avenue campus.

Holy Cross, which entered the playoffs as the No. 1 seed, had been close to a title in years past, but finally got over the hump.

“It was a great feeling,” said Holy Cross senior Sebastian Aguilar, “a dream that came true for us. I’m just glad we could make history for our school.”

Added coach Matt Millet, “We talked about it every day, getting past our semifinal loss last year and motivating the boys to reach the final (and win).”

Aguilar was the Most Outstanding Player in the state championship, scoring the go-ahead goal as the Tigers rallied from an early one-goal deficit with three goals in the second half.

“I’m glad I could help the team out and lead us to victory,” Aguilar said.

There was no panic since it was not the first time the Tigers trailed in the playoffs.

“Three games, our first halves were not what we would have scripted,” Millet said, but his players “put the hammer down in the second half to get the results we needed.”

Holy Cross will likely be favored to repeat next season. The Tigers return eight starters next season, including Ethan Garvey, who figures to draw recruiting interest from top Division I programs. Garvey scored the first Tiger goal in the title match.