Jesuit bests St. Paul’s in OT classic to win Division I soccer championship

As we stated prior to the beginning of the state soccer playoffs, Jesuit was vastly under-seeded at No. 15 in Division I.

The feeling among most all observers was that the Blue Jays were one of the top four teams in the state. By the quarterfinal round, it was apparent that Jesuit may be one of the top two teams in the state.

As of Saturday evening, the Blue Jays are once again the top team in the state.

Jesuit ended the four-year reign of St. Paul’s, downing the top-seeded Wolves 2-1 in overtime to win the Division I state soccer championship at the Ragin’ Cajun Soccer/Track complex Saturday evening.

Sophomore Gabe Gordon decided the issue in the golden goal overtime period.

The two sides were evenly matched throughout.

The match was tied at halftime and stayed that way until late when Justin Savoie converted a penalty kick in the 71st minute to give the Wolves a 1-0 lead.

It looked like the goal may hold up but Chris Tadros scored a dramatic goal in stoppage time, with less than a minute to go in the match, to send it to overtime, setting the stage for Gordon’s game-winner.

Shane Lanson came through in big fashion in goal for the Blue Jays (24-3-7). The loss was the first in-state this season for the Wolves (27-3-1).

St. Paul’s had beaten Jesuit by identical 2-0 scores twice in the regular season. The two sides have combined to win the last nine Division I state championships. Jesuit is now 5-3 against St. Paul’s in state championship meetings. The title is the 12th all-time for the Blue Jays.

In the Division IV title match, it was no match as top-seed Episcopal of Acadiana bounced third-seeded Northlake Christian 5-0.

Patrick Anderson was sensational, recording a hat trick for the Falcons, who also got goals from Alex Malek and Matthew Pisani in a dominating performance.

Episcopal of Acadiana had beaten the Wolverines 3-1 in the regular season.

The win capped an unbeaten season for the Falcons (22-0-1). Northlake Christian ended its season 17-2-3.

Prep Soccer Championship Match Results from Sat., Feb. 24

Division I

(15) Jesuit 2, (1) St. Paul’s 1 (OT)

Division IV

(1) Episcopal of Acadiana 5, (3) Northlake Christian 0