Soccer Playoffs: St. Paul’s survives scare to reach final; Northshore, Mandeville, Ben Franklin, Newman girls advance to finals

Prep Soccer Playoff Report for Saturday, Feb. 22

It was an interesting evening for the dominant St. Paul’s soccer program Friday.

The defending state champion and top-seeded Wolves were pushed at home at Hunter Stadium by No. 4 Dutchtown and it looked like it would be a walk in the park early on but it turned out to be a survival test as St. Paul’s outlasted the determined Griffins 4-3 in the Division I semifinals.

Ashley Mouton, Ben Schwing and James Bradford each scored a goal to put the Wolves ahead 3-0 in the first half, seemingly in total control.

The Griffins had other thoughts, staging a furious rally to tie the match. The Griffins got on the board before halftime to make it 3-1 and scored twice more in the second half to make it 3-3.

As overtime approached, Michael Dufour scored the game-winning goal in stoppage time to send the Wolves to the final, in search of a second straight state title and a seventh in 10 years.

The Wolves (28-0) will face the winner of today’s match between No. 2 Denham Springs and No. 3 Catholic of Baton Rouge, who will meet at Denham Springs at 3:30 p.m. Dutchtown finished its season 20-6-1.

In Division II, No. 2 St. Thomas More is in the title game after a convincing 3-0 victory over No. 3 Beau Chene at home Friday.

Ethan Breaux put the Cougars ahead to stay in the 10th minute and it was 1-0 at halftime. St. Thomas More pulled away in the second half on goals by Kade Theunissen and Ethan Mowell.

St. Thomas More (17-4-1) is in search of its first state title since 2017 next week in Hammond when the Cougars will face the winner of today’s matchup pitting No. 5 Ben Franklin at two-time defending state champion and No. 1 seed Holy Cross, who square off at 11 a.m. at Holy Cross. Beau Chene ends its season 20-7-2.

In Division IV, top seed Episcopal advanced to the state championship game with a convincing 5-2 victory over No. 4 seed Christ Episcopal in Baton Rouge.

Jett Turnley was terrific, recording a hat trick for the Knights. Tochi Mbagwu and Trevor Heath each added a goal for the Knights. William Gahagan scored both goals for the Wildcats (17-3-1).

Episcopal (15-4-3) advances to the state championship match in Hammond next week to face the winner of today’s match between No. 2 Catholic of New Iberia and No.3 Newman, set for 2 p.m. in New Iberia. Christ Episcopal ends its season 17-3-1.

In girls action, unbeaten and No. 1 seed Northshore looked the part, whipping No. 4 Dominican 4-0 in Slidell.

Carley Chase, SJ Mull, Brooke Cutura and Grace Green all scored goals in the first half to put the match away by halftime. Cutura added an assist.

Northshore (22-0-3) advances to meet district rival Mandeville in the championship match next week in Hammond. Dominican finished its season 19-2-8.

No. 2 seed Mandeville is in the state championship game after a thrilling 2-1 win over pesky No. 7 seed Central Lafourche.

The Trojans, who were coming off of a big 1-0 upset over No. 2 Mount Carmel Academy, took the Skippers to the wire.

In the final minute, Krista Prescott scored the game-winner for Mandeville.

Aubrey Olin put Mandeville (26-2-3) on top with a goal in the first half and it was 1-0 at halftime. McKenzie Champagne tied the match 1-1 for the Trojans early in the second half, setting the stage for Prescott’s heroics.

Central Lafourche ends its season 20-6-3.

In District 5-I play, Northshore whipped Mandeville 4-0 at Mandeville on Jan. 10.

In Division II, No. 6 Ben Franklin went to Monroe and shutout No. 2 Neville 2-0 to advance to the title match. The Tigers finished 19-6-2.

After a scoreless first half, Isabella Lopez and Ella Marsh scored second half goals to provide the margin of victory. The Tigers end their season 19-5-2.

The Falcons (17-3-2), seeking their first state championship since 2016 when they won the fourth of four straight state titles, will face No. 1 St. Thomas More in the final.

The two-time defending state champion Cougars (19-4-5) edged No. 5 Vandebilt Catholic 1-0 in Lafayette to advance. Raegan Latiolais scored a first half goal to provide the margin of victory. The Terriers end their season 19-8-2.

In Division III, No. 1 Loyola Prep edged No. 4 St. Louis Catholic 1-0 to advance to the title match.

After a scoreless first half, Kennedy Jarrett scored the game-winner in the 52nd minute to provide the margin of victory.

The Flyers (23-2-4) will meet University High for the title. The Saints end their season 19-6-2.

The third-seeded Cubs (15-3-1) edged No. 2 Archbishop Hannan 1-0 on a second half goal by Mia Hau. The Hawks end their season 18-5-1.

In Division IV, No. 2 Newman handled No. 3 Episcopal 3-0 at Lupin Field.

Victoria Thomas scored a pair of goals in the first half to make it 2-0 at halftime. Anne Chawla added an insurance goal in the second half to finish off an impressive victory.

The Greenies (16-5-2) will face Christ Episcopal in the final Friday at Hammond. The Knights end their season 16-4-3. Newman will be in search of a fourth state championship in five seasons and an tenth state title overall. Newman won three straight state titles from 2016-18 and won four straight state championships between 2004-07 and won consecutive titles in 2001 and 2002.

Prep Soccer Playoff Results from Friday, Feb. 21

Boys

Division I

No. 1 St. Paul’s 4, No. 4 Dutchtown 3

Division II

No. 2 St. Thomas More 3, No. 3 Beau Chene 0

Division IV

No. 1 Episcopal 5, No. 4 Christ Episcopal 2

Girls

Division I

No. 3 Mandeville 2, No. 7 Central Lafourche 1

Division II

No. 6 Ben Franklin 6, No. 2 Neville 0

Division II

No. 1 St. Thomas More 1, No. 5 Vandebilt Catholic 0

No. 6 Ben Franklin 2, No. 2 Neville 0

Prep Soccer Playoff Schedule for Saturday, Feb. 22

Boys

No. 3 Catholic (BR) at No. 2 Denham Springs, 3:30 p.m.

Division II

No. 5 Ben Franklin at No. 1 Holy Cross, 11 a.m.

Division III

No. 3 Loyola Prep at No. 1 Vandebilt Catholic, 11 a.m.

Division IV

No. 3 Catholic (NI) at No. 2 Newman, 2 p.m.