St. Joseph’s edges Dutchtown for girls state soccer title

HAMMOND – For years, St. Joseph’s has been on the outside looking in.

A year ago, the Redstickers made the Division I final but fell short.

That is not the case anymore.

The Redstickers achieved the ultimate goal, leaving with the gold as the top seed edged No. 6 Dutchtown 1-0 for the LHSAA Girls Division I state championship Saturday evening at Strawberry Stadium.

The first half was a defensive battle ending scoreless.

The second half was much of the same as both teams marked top attackers tightly, waiting for that one opportunity.

You had the feeling that a set piece would decide the match.

Finally, in the 72nd minute, senior Riley Wilson scored off a corner kick from sophomore Alyssa Wilson to provide the victory for St. Joseph’s (23-3-2).

Dutchtown (19-3-3) had one shot on goal and a few more chances with corners but St. Joseph’s keeper Greenly Duplantis was up to the task, posting the clean sheet.

“We knew it would be tough and would have to keep working,” St. Joseph’s coach Kyle Carmouche said. “This was a three-year journey to get here. It has not sunk in yet, but his is special. The girls bought in from Day 1 to get us here.”