Mandeville 1 SSA 5

[soccerdad3246]

To be fair, the referee did a bad job controlling the game and when MHS got to the point where they knew they couldn’t win, a couple of players were persistently doing stuff that was not ok. Lots of hard fouls after the play was gone, hair pulling, slide tackling cleats up, just to name a few. Add that on top of one MHS player saying on social media this week that she was going to “take out” an SSA player. There was ample reason for those parents to have been concerned for the safety of their child and upset.

Coach Esker is a class guy and I’m sure he will take appropriate steps to insure his players conduct on and off the field do not drop to that level again. It reflects poorly on him, MHS, and the St Tammany Parish School system. I have confidence that he won’t allow that to continue.

[Timbertwin]

Congratulations to SSA for a well-deserved win.   The match was competitive, and our mistakes were taken advantage of.   I always tell our players there’s no such thing as a “bad” goal, but Sydney’s cornerkick header in second half was particularly gorgeous.

Thanks to our MHS players for a strong season with lots of great moments on the field against some of the best teams in the state.   Your dedication and commitment to playing your best against the best is commendable.  I’m privileged to have had this time to be with you.

Thank you to Meredith, Maleah and Anneliese, our three graduating seniors who leave us this year.   It’s tough to have seen you play your last game for us, but we are all so much better as people for having known you.   You worked as hard or harder than anyone around and gave your best no matter the situation.  As I told you after the match, players and people like you are why coaches keep coming back.  Your parents are undoubtedly so proud of who you are not just on the field but off the field where it matters. I will look forward to hearing about the next step
in your journeys.

And also congratulations to Bizzy, Sydney, Peyton, Renin, Sarah, Isabella, and Kiki.   You’ve accomplished a lot in your four years of high school (five for those who played as an 8th grader).   It’s been a challenge to coach against you on the opposite sideline, and it was certainly fun to cheer you on at southern regionals on the way to regional finals and national championship berths.   Your parents get the privilege ours were hoping for —- to watch one more high school match with you —- and undoubtedly are proud of all you do and who you are.  Renin — as I said after the game, win or lose, that game would’ve been better with you on the field.   It’s a cruel twist that you have to watch these last two; there was no joy in seeing you out.  Isabella —- it’s great that you’re back out there after your injury last year and a testament to how hard you worked to come back.   Kiki, you’re on your way back!

Enjoy this week.   A couple of our players have an all-star game to look forward to, and those seniors from SSA will have one more match in Lafayette.   I hope for no more injuries and that the weather cooperates for both SSA and Northshore to have a memorable match celebrating great achievement for both teams after another final four with three schools from our district!

Sean

[johnnysoccer]

Thanks for your kind words Coach. Best wishes for all the seniors moving on, wherever that may be!

[formermanager]

Classy comments from a class guy! Thanks Coach for all you have done for these girls and many others around the state in high school and club soccer. Thanks go to your right hand man, (hardest working man at regionals) Donovan too!