LHSAA state soccer championships get underway today in Hammond

The 2023 LHSAA state soccer championships get underway today with eight titles to be decided.

First up are the Division IV title matches.

In the boys Division IV championship game, No. 2 seed Holy Savior Menard battles No. 5 Episcopal at 4:30 p.m. at Strawberry Stadium.

The Eagles (20-4-2) have proven to be impregnable, not allowing a goal in four playoff games while outscoring opponents by a 15-0 margin. Holy Savior Menard edged No. 3 Episcopal of Acadiana 1-0 in the semifinals. Holy Savior Menard has won eight straight matches and has not allowed a goal in six straight games.

The Eagles are in their first-ever state title match.

The Knights (15-4-3) have been an offensive machine in the playoffs, scoring 23 goals in four games. Episcopal shocked top seed Newman 5-4 at Lupin Field in the semifinals. Episcopal has also won eight straight matches.

It is a rematch of a quarterfinal match a year ago which Episcopal won 3-1.

Episcopal won the Division III state championship in 2013 and the Knights reached the Division III final in 2017, 2020 and in 2021.

In the Division IV girls state title match, No. 6 Newman takes on No. 4 Episcopal at 7:30 p.m.

The Greenies (19-4-5) have scored 20 goals in four playoff games while allowing just one goal. Newman shut out No. 23 Northlake Christian 4-0 in the semifinals.

The Knights (17-2-1) have scored 21 goals in four playoff games while allowing just one goal. The Knights went to Shreveport and upset top seed Loyola Prep 2-1 in the semifinals.

Newman has a Louisiana-best 12 state championships to its credit, most recently in 2021,

In all, six area schools are among the 16 finalists.

On Thursday, No. 4 The Willow School squares off with No. 2 Bossier at 4:30 p.m. in boys Division III action before the top-seeded Archbishop Hannan girls take on No. 2 Parkview Baptist at 7:30 p.m. The Lions have two state championships, most recently in 2021 under the banner of Lusher Charter, which changed to The Willow School a year ago. The Hawks are in search of a first state title and are in the championship game for a second straight year

On Friday, top seed Ben Franklin battles No. 2 St. Thomas More in the Division II boys final at 4:30 p.m. before No. Lakeshore takes on No. 1 St. Thomas More at 7:30 p.m. in the girls Division II title match. The Falcons have won two state titles, most recently in 2014 and have five second-place finishes. The Titans and Cougars are squaring off for a third straight year in the championship match. St. Thomas More won in the 2021 and 2022 matches by identical 4-2 scores over Lakeshore.

The championships conclude on Saturday when No. 2 St. Paul’s faces No. 9 Dutchtown at 4:30 p.m. in the boys Division I title match. The Wolves have won 10 state championships, most recently in 2020, and the Wolves have finished second six times.

LHSAA Prep Soccer State Championship Schedule

Wednesday, February 22

Division IV

Boys—No. 2 Holy Savior Menard vs. No. 5 Episcopal, 4:30 p.m.

Girls—No. 6 Newman vs. No. 4 Episcopal, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, February 23

Boys—No. 2 Bossier vs. No. 4 The Willow School, 4:30 p.m.

Girls—No. 1 Archbishop Hannan vs. No. 2 Parkview Baptist, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, February 24

Boys—No. 1 Ben Franklin vs. No. 2 St. Thomas More, 4:30 p.m.

Girls—No. 1 St. Thomas More vs. No. 2 Lakeshore, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 25

Boys—No. 2 St. Paul’s vs. No. 9 Dutchtown, 4:30 p.m.

Girls—No. 1 St. Joseph’s Academy vs. No. 6 Dutchtown, 7:30 p.m.