Soccer: Ben Franklin advances to boys final, Northlake Christian girls fall to Episcopal

Prep Soccer Playoff Report for Saturday, Feb. 17

A magical season for Riverdale has ended while Ben Franklin continues to march towards a special ending to its boys soccer season.

The third-seeded Falcons romped past the 10th-seeded Rebels 6-1 at home Friday.

Carson Columbo scored a pair of goals for Ben Franklin while Jacob Chapital, Jad Chehab, Silas Meister and Lewis Preau each added a goal for the Falcons.

Josue DeLeon put the Rebels 1-0 early with a goal on an assist by Jose Rodriguez.

From that point forward, it was all Ben Franklin.

The Falcons got the equalizer Jad Chehab scored before Ben Franklin took the lead for good on a goal by Carson Columbo to make it 2-1. Lewis Preau headed in a corner kick just before halftime to give the Falcons a 3-1 lead at the break.

Ben Franklin played add on in the second half to pull away for the convincing victory.

Jacob Russell was outstanding in goal for the Falcons.

Ben Franklin (16-5-2) returns to the state title match for a second straight year after falling 2-1 to St. Thomas More in the championship game a year ago. The Falcons are seeking its third state championship and its first since 2014. The Falcons, making their ninth state championship match appearance, will play the winner of this evening’s match pitting No. 5 Neville at No. 1 Holy Cross, set for 6 p.m. at Holy Cross.

In the Division IV girls semifinals Friday, top seed Episcopal remained unbeaten, eliminating No. 12 Northlake Christian 4-0 at home.

TCU signee Sarah Bonnecaze dominated, recording a hat trick to pace the Knights to victory. Claire Moore added a goal and an assist. Maddie Teague posted a clean sheet in goal.

Episcopal (22-0-1) will meet the winner of today’s match between No. 3 Newman and No. 2 Loyola Prep for the championship in Hammond next week. Newman defeated Northlake Christian 4-2 in last year’s title match after Episcopal edged Loyola Prep 2-1 in the semifinals.

Northlake Christian finished its fine season 11-6-3.

Prep Soccer Playoff Results from Friday, Feb. 16

Girls

Division II (1) St. Thomas More 4, (5) Teurlings Catholic 2

Division IV (1) Episcopal 4, (12) Northlake Christian 0

Boys

Division II

(3) Ben Franklin 6, (10) Riverdale 1

Division III

(3) University Lab 2, (2) Vandebilt Catholic 1

Division IV

(2) Episcopal of Acadiana 2, (3) Ascension Episcopal 0

Prep Soccer Playoff Schedule for Saturday, Feb. 17

Girls

Division I

(8) Mount Carmel Academy at (4) St. Scholastica, 3:30 p.m.

(18) Barbe at (11) Byrd, 11:30 a.m.

Division II

(7) Ben Franklin at (3) Terrebonne, 11 a.m.

Division III

(5) Archbishop Hannan at (1) Parkview Baptist, 7 p.m.

(3) St. Michael at (2) St. Louis Catholic, 7 p.m. at Cowgirl Field

Division IV

(3) Newman at (4) Loyola Prep, 4 p.m.

Boys

Division I

(4) Dutchtown at (1) Jesuit, 6 p.m. at Lafreniere Park

(6) St. Paul’s at (2) Catholic (BR), 1:30 p.m.

Division II

(5) Neville at (1) Holy Cross, 6 p.m.

Division III

(4) Bossier at (1) Willow School, 3:30 p.m.

Division IV

(8) Episcopal at (5) Newman, 6:30 p.m.