Jesters lose regular season finale but make NPSL playoffs

It was a bittersweet night for the New Orleans Jesters Saturday evening.

The Jesters fell to Asheville City SC, 2-1. at Pan American Stadium but still finished third in the overall standings in the National Premier Soccer League’s South region to make the playoffs. The loss cost New Orleans a first-round bye.

Lucas La Vanway put New Orleans on top with a header that found the mark in the 11th minute off a free kick by Oliver Roberts.

The lead was short-lived as Luke Matthews answered a minute later on a header to even the match. Elliott Cutts got the game-winner in the 33rd minute to make it 2-1 by halftime. Both teams went scoreless in the second half.

The Jesters will host the Georgia Revolution at Pan American Stadium in the opening round of the NPSL South region playoffs Tuesday evening at 7 p.m.

The winner of the New Orleans-Georgia game will travel to the Atlanta Silverbacks in the second round on Thursday. Atlanta swept New Orleans during the regular season.

The other side of the bracket has Inter Nashville FC taking on Asheville City FC with the winner set to meet top-seed Chattanooga FC in the second round.

The winner of the South Region will square off with the winner of the Lone Star region for the overall NPSL championship with the title match set for July 21.