sooner
All-District
Posts: 119
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Post by sooner on Feb 26, 2011 9:30:30 GMT -6
A couple of amateur observations: The 1st half looked like some posters had predicted. ASH controlled most of the possession, but CHS created some danger with a few long balls and set pieces, including the throw-in plus bobble that led to their goal.
The 2nd half was all ASH. I recall that CHS had only one vague chance while the score was still even at 1, but a long ball and sprint down the left wing was snuffed out by a rather "professional" yellow card foul, CHS also had a shot at the end when it was 3-1. Other than that, it was a clinic in ball control and relentless pressure by ASH. Repeatedly, routinely, they fought to win the ball in the midfield, worked it down, frequently on the left, and set up a shot. Not all the shots were necessarily well chosen or well taken. But never mind, there was always a next time for ASH as CHS could not generate anything resembling an attack. Clearances made it to midfield, where ASH soon regained control with hustle and spirited one-on one play. It looked at times like a half-court basketball game. That's not to slam CHS by any means, but to emphasize that, after half time, ASH was fully engaged in their best style of tough, smart, efficient, and ultimately irresistible football.
I must tip my cap to the CHS fans whom I sat near. They showed up in good numbers, were enthusiastic, noisy, supportive, fair, observant and knowledgable. They represented their team and their school very well. They just happened to come up against an opponent that raised its game to a higher plane for the last 40-some minutes.
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Post by backline on Feb 26, 2011 9:52:47 GMT -6
As a CHS fan I can't argue with that. I even said that they were starting to just sit back. I'm not gonna give that deep of an analysis, but rather confirm what sooner just posted. First half was back and forth attacking wise with ash possesing more and chs counter attacking. Second half was pretty one sided in ash's favor. I think chs had only one, maybe two shots.
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Post by licensedsoccerdad on Feb 26, 2011 10:01:00 GMT -6
Great game by both teams. Congrats to ASH. It was my pleasure to watch CHS all year long. With a freshman daughter, it looks like I'll be watching lots more over the next three years. Thanks to the Seniors for the memories of this season. The girls below you learned from you and will continue your winning ways.
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Post by pOkLE on Feb 26, 2011 10:14:12 GMT -6
Although ASH definitely looked to be the better side (and most knew that 2nd goal was on the horizon), the ending was a little more exciting than what's been posted (IMO). CNI may not have chances through the run of play, but they were dangerous on throw-ins and corners and almost had one in the waning minutes. Maybe ASH fell back after 2nd goal, but the ball spent a fair amount of time in front of that ASH goal in the last 5 minutes (in contrast to rest of 2nd half).
Of course, pushing everyone forward in the end exposed CNI to the counter - great finish/run by fwd, but unlucky for defenders that made the great 90 yd recovery run only to mis-strike the clear, leaving 1v1 from top of box.
It was exciting to watch and with all those little girls (in addition to the rest of great student/parent/fan support) there to watch, I'm sure the end of that game is more than ingrained in those little minds (great for future of girls' soccer I'm sure).
Great showing, ladies. Congrats to both sides.
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Post by rockbro on Feb 26, 2011 10:46:13 GMT -6
First Congrats to ASH on a Great Game and Back to Back Championships
Background: I am statistician for CHS and have triplet seniors at CHS, 2 girls and a boy who are all starters.
Going in, we liked our chances since we had lost to Lafayette 1-0 and played well with them while ASH had split with them. This was early in the season for us and our girls had only touched the ball for a short time with several starters coming from the Volleyball championships. Fyi, we only have 1 premier player and she is a freshman and 1 D1 player a sophomore.
I thought Sooner gave a great description of the game. I thought that our girls went toe to toe with ASH in the first half with most of ASH's chances coming from long range. We were content with that, we thought, until they scored one. I was extremely happy to see ASH playing a bit of long ball toward the end of the half. We knew they would come out strong for the second half and of course they did, For some reason our girls got tired. I'm sure I could find excuses, but they appeared tired. Several have come direct from Volleyball so they are in shape. In fact some are playing softball today, so I don't think it was that. In any event, ASH controlled the second half and we resorted to stabbing which I think led to ASH goal 2. It was a great shot, but the ball was either dribbled or passed through 3 or 4 stabs.
Thanks to the ASH fans who were cordial and for those who had kind words.
CHS players what a run. Two straight state championship games and the semis the 2 years before that I think!
I will put up a separate post, but thanks to all on this board who have kept it going and that do all the hard work with the PR and polls. We can't thank you enough. I'm sure I will check in from time to time, but now I need a new hobby! Maybe officiating!
PS now I can post if i see some games and give my unbiased opinion (LOL)
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Post by personalservant on Feb 26, 2011 11:00:40 GMT -6
Excellent recap Sooner, I saw the game much the same way. I also agree with pokle that it was very exciting at the end of the game. Backline, I have to hand it to you, ms Lahasky was as good in goal as advertised. She made several outstanding saves, and frankly, I don't think that even the legendary Jolly could have stopped ASH's first two goals. CHNI girls gave it everything they had through the final whistle. Just a terrific, well played final. CHNI parents were very classy and have every reason to be very proud of their girls! Congrats to hopefully soon to be Coach of the Year (back to back titles!) Tooraj Badie and all the Cardinals!!
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Post by backline on Feb 26, 2011 11:48:57 GMT -6
It was only a matter of time with the amount of possession ASH had before they scored. The first goal was reachable, but unexpected, but the second goal she couldn't have done anything about.
But thanks for the acknowledgment. I wouldn't have thrown her name into the mix if I didn't know she was great. I don't like making a fool of myself.
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Post by rockbro on Feb 26, 2011 13:28:12 GMT -6
A tidbit of info. Taylor L played varsity keeper as an eighth grader when the starter was injured before Jolly. Jolly only played keeper one year after surgery on each knee in consecutive years. She wasn't rehabbed enough to play in the field where she was a dynamic player. She now plays softball for Nichols State.
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Post by personalservant on Feb 26, 2011 16:20:05 GMT -6
Rockbro, thanks for that tidbit! While an undersized goalie, Jolly more than made up for that with a rare combination of athleticism, quickness, and great hands. I'm sure she's quite the softball player! And backline, no need to fear feeling foolish with your club. Most ASH fans expected the result (these girls can really play when they settled down) but it was a very big surprise to all of us that we were down early. (And someone please pass this on to the CHNI parents of #1, who played forward. I ran into her outside the stadium as she was walking to the parking lot. She was still understandably upset but stopped when I approached to congratulate her on her great effort and season. She was extraordinarily polite and I was very pleased to learn that she was on the volleyball team that beat ASH in a dramatic come from behind win to take state this year. Nice to know that this fine young lady is leaving CHNI with at least one state championship! High class kids and parents. Can't ask for much more. See you guys in the finals again next year!)
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Post by licensedsoccerdad on Feb 26, 2011 16:32:42 GMT -6
My observations may not be as accurate as some because as my name applies, I am a newbie. However, looking forward with respect to CHSNI, I am optimistic. There is no doubt that we will miss our 6 Senior starters. They have good talent, are great leaders and have been an integral part of unprecedented succes at our school. However, we still have the Lahasky twins coming back. Those two are tenacious competitors and will keep their team in any game through sheer determination. We also had 11 or 12 Freshmen playing JV this season. Two of our starters in the final were freshmen. If we can get some of these to play some D-1 and improve by getting more touches, we can coninue to be a force in Division III. Who knows, I may even have to change my screen name as I won't be a newbie any more!
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Post by rockbro on Feb 26, 2011 17:06:07 GMT -6
pservant, thanks for congratulating Casey (#1) she's one of my triplets. It was a great senior year and we still have hopes for the softball team!
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Post by backline on Feb 26, 2011 21:12:42 GMT -6
The only way CHS will be nearly as dominate next year will be if they get into D1 and the 3v3 league in the summer. Otherwise we are losing talent. Soccer is great because it is available year round. In order to be great, you must practice, and the experience D1 will provide and the improvement we will see in CHS if the girls play will be unimaginable. Unfortunately, the girls D1 team in NI is composed of like 95% NISH.
CHS NEEDS the girls to play D1. Not only to be better on the field, but to overall better represent the school, not that back to back final appearances is bad.
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Post by itsovernow on Feb 27, 2011 19:52:12 GMT -6
From the article: "After the ball hit the net, teammates swarmed Kern. Nearby, Lahasky kicked the ball away in frustration."
I know that newspapers are in it for the readers (and their money) and it made for a good comparison between the two teams and their emotions, but this makes it sound like Miss Lahasky isn't classy. I find myself increasingly frustrated with newspaper reporters and their ways of twisting events. Lahasky obviously was upset that they had just scored the equalizer goal, and she had a right to be frustrated. This just makes her seem like a spoiled little girl in the goal, which she is not. She gave her best effort that game and every game before it, and either she or her sister (Sydney, sweeper) would have (probably) rightly received MVP for the game if CHNI had won. They both displayed great skill and poise in what could have been a 5-0 blowout for the Lady Panthers if not for their extraordinary efforts on the back line.
I know the reporter probably meant no personal injury to her, and no one will probably take notice of the comment except for myself and a few others (including Lahasky herself), but it just frustrates me personally when words and deeds are unfavorably twisted.
As a long-time fan of the program, I have watched the CHNI girls play with their hearts on their sleeves since the beginnings of the program, which is why they have always done so well with such unpolished and "non-premier" girls. Their passion and aggression often overcomes even the toughest and most seasoned opponents, but as you can see, sometimes it doesn't.
Congratulations to both teams, as it is an accomplishment in itself to make it to the finals with such tough competition.
Finally: A few inches here, a few inches there...either team could have taken the golden trophy home. I recall a few corners from both teams that were mere inches from being converted. I'm sure the Lady Panthers have been replaying the game in their heads these past few days. Nothing to hang their heads about, though.
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Post by Steven Gerrard on Feb 27, 2011 20:34:08 GMT -6
From the article: "After the ball hit the net, teammates swarmed Kern. Nearby, Lahasky kicked the ball away in frustration." I know that newspapers are in it for the readers (and their money) and it made for a good comparison between the two teams and their emotions, but this makes it sound like Miss Lahasky isn't classy. I have no association with either school and I am reading this article from north Louisiana, and I would never have taken the article the way you suggest. All it implies is that the goalie was upset at allowing the goal. It in no way suggests that she is not "classy." I would suggest that you are not reading the article objectively. The reporter did not say anything wrong.
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sooner
All-District
Posts: 119
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Post by sooner on Feb 27, 2011 21:10:12 GMT -6
From the article: "After the ball hit the net, teammates swarmed Kern. Nearby, Lahasky kicked the ball away in frustration." I know that newspapers are in it for the readers (and their money) and it made for a good comparison between the two teams and their emotions, but this makes it sound like Miss Lahasky isn't classy. I have no association with either school and I am reading this article from north Louisiana, and I would never have taken the article the way you suggest. All it implies is that the goalie was upset at allowing the goal. It in no way suggests that she is not "classy." I would suggest that you are not reading the article objectively. The reporter did not say anything wrong. I agree with SG. The comment in the article was unremarkable, and any inference of an insult is entirely unjustified.
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Post by licensedsoccerdad on Feb 27, 2011 21:23:47 GMT -6
Itsovernow, no need for any concern. Anyone who knows Ms. Lahasky knows she is nothing but a fierce competitor in everything she does. Anyone who's ever competed before would understand her actions. More than anything, she was probably mad at herself for not stopping a shot that no one probably could have stopped. That's what makes her a great competitor. She strives for perfection in her performance. Hopefully, coming so close two years in a row will have the twins even hungrier and they will lead next year's team back. If the girls under them follow their example and work hard to be the best they can be, that is attainable.
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Post by Scott Crawford on Feb 28, 2011 8:18:17 GMT -6
Entering this conversation a little late, but that was the first girls soccer game I've seen in quite some time. It was a high quality game with really skilled athletes. I thought Sacred Heart #21 earned the Most Outstanding Player award, but it could have been given to several. Congrats to both teams.
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Post by personalservant on Feb 28, 2011 17:36:48 GMT -6
Itsovernow, I realize that it can be very difficult to get over a loss in a championship game, but to somehow suggest that but for "a few inches here, a few inches there" there would have been a different outcome!! Were you at the game? Just for the sake of discussion, if you could count the "near misses" as goals, the result would have been the same but the margin would have been MUCH larger for ASH. Look, I was in the Pontchartrain Center when ASH BLEW 4 championship points before CHNI won the final point and the state volleyball championship. It was a great come from behind victory by CHNI. ASH couldn't get it done and the better team won that day. As to soccer, who knows what would happen if they played again? But in this year's championship game, ASH was clearly the better team and the margin was no fluke. (That doesn't mean that CHNI didn't play a great game or have a great season)
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Post by Scott Crawford on Feb 28, 2011 21:47:01 GMT -6
highschoolsports.nola.com/news/article/-8615128150469335065/sacred-heart-repeats-as-division-iii-state-soccer-champions/Sacred Heart repeats as Division III state soccer champions Andrew Astleford, Contributing writer, February 25, 2011 9:30 p.m. More than a few Sacred Heart players had tears to go along with their grins when it was all over. The Cardinals successfully completed a mission to repeat as Division III state champions with the same dominating effort that had come to define their postseason run over the past three weeks. Even though they trailed at halftime, the Sacred Heart players and coaches were confident the second half would yield a familiar result. Coach Tooraj Badie refused to change a single scheme with the Cardinals trailing 1-0 at the break, their first goal allowed in the playoffs. He knew, sooner or later, Sacred Heart would score. He knew, sooner or later, the Cardinals would find their form. He was right. Top-seeded Sacred Heart beat No. 2 seed Catholic of New Iberia 3-1 on Friday at Tad Gormley Stadium in the Division III state championship match. The Cardinals (26-5-1) netted three second-half goals while stifling the Panthers (29-3-1). "It is amazing," said Sacred Heart junior Kristen Kern, who was chosen the Most Outstanding Player. "It is the best thing ever. We had always hoped that we would do it again. We did it." Kern's tying goal changed the momentum. In the 44th minute, she sized up a shot from the right side. Kern put enough loft on the ball for it to float above junior goalkeeper Taylor Lahasky's reach. After the ball hit the net, teammates swarmed Kern. Nearby, Lahasky kicked the ball away in frustration. From there, Sacred Heart played with an extra skip in its step. In the 72nd minute, Sacred Heart senior Katherine Moody scored on a sliding kick from the right side. The ball skidded from her foot, ricocheted off the left post and dribbled into the goal, giving the Cardinals a 2-1 lead. Seven minutes later, Sacred Heart sophomore Sarah Martin provided the finishing touch with a goal in the open field. Late in the second half, a chant rose from the stands. "Sacred ... Heart!" The Cardinals' championship countdown had begun. "That first goal that we scored pretty much changed the game," Badie said. "We gained confidence by that goal, and we started pushing forward, and they started playing their game." Photo gallery Photos from the Cardinals' state championship victory After Kern's goal, Catholic's execution was muddled. The Panthers had taken the lead on a shot by freshman Madeleine Vines in the 19th minute. But soon after, Badie's team started to take control. "You give them that many shots, and eventually they're going to start to fall in," Catholic Coach Chris Hoag said. "Unfortunately, they did." Before Friday, Sacred Heart had coasted through the playoffs. The Cardinals routed their four previous postseason opponents by a combined score of 24-0. A one-goal victory over No. 9 seed University in the quarterfinal round was the only time Sacred Heart had won by less than five goals. Catholic enjoyed similar success. The Panthers had beaten their postseason opponents by a combined score of 23-1. A 2-1 overtime victory over No. 3 seed Baton Rouge-Episcopal in the semifinals was the only time the Panthers won by less than seven goals. The pairing was familiar. Last February, the same teams met for the Division III state championship, with Sacred Heart winning 1-0. It was the Cardinals' first state soccer championship since a Division II title in 2005. Friday's result was familiar, too, with Sacred Heart winning a consecutive Division III championship. "Sooner or later," Badie said near a screaming Sacred Heart crowd, "it was going to go in."
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Post by Scott Crawford on Mar 3, 2011 12:58:13 GMT -6
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