DI predictions

[spanky22]

give who you think will advance and give a reason

[lasocrfan]

Rummel will rise up and make the finals. Last year when they made the trip they were just happy to be somewhere no other Rummel team has ever been, in the semis of the state SOCCER tournament. Now, fresh off a district title they haven't won in 17 years, they are there to win it.
This year's team is much better than last year's team that took Lafayette to overtime. The Raiders had a legitimate shot at winning last year, but lacked the discipline, team speed, defense, and overall skill that this year's team has. Also, the game last year was played with one of the starting midfielders on the bench with an ankle injury. The Raiders are peaking at the right time. They are finding a scoring touch to go with the defense. As much as they would like to have this year's game at Rummel, the road won't bother them. They have played well this year as a road team. Their record of 24-5-1 (18 shutouts) proves that point.
I feel that they will be playing Jesuit for the third time this year in the finals. The crowd at Gormley for that matchup will rival what you see for a Friday night fall football game in New Orleans.
Let me close by saying good luck to all of the final four. You all have proven that you belong, and all have my respect as solid soccer teams and class programs. Its going to be fun watching this play out.

[hdkjga]

I was talking to my brother earlier and it dawned on me how even these 4 teams are. If Lafayette wins they will play Acadiana who they are 1-1-1 against this year or Jesuit who they haven't seen since last years final. If RUmmel wins they play Acadiana who they lost to 0-1, or they play Jesuit who they beat 2-1 and beat them 1-2. How even is this playing field. These will be 3 awesome games remaining in Division I.

With that said, obviously I like Lafayette to win it all. I picked them at the beginning and I will stay with them. Rummel is a better team this year than they were last year, only thing is.....so is Lafayette. LHS rode their defense to the finals last year. This year they have one of if not the best offense in Louisiana. Rummel has, in my opinion, the best defense in the state. Both these teams have phenomonal midfields, so it leads me to believe that the X-factor in this semi is Rummel's offense vs. Lafayette's D. I will say that i think Lafayette had a better defensive unit last year, but I will say this defense is playing just as good. Lafayette puts points on the board and doesn't allow many. I have seen Rummel play a few times this year and they are very talented, but they don't score many goals. In most situations I would go with the better defense, but Lafayette's defense is not that far behind Rummel's and Lafayette's offense is pretty awesome to watch. I think this will be a very exciting game and my prediction on the final is 3-1 Lafayette. THe final goal will come off a counter as Rummel pulls everyone up to try and tie it up and be right at the final whistle.


The other semi is going to be a war. Apparently people don't like the refs that ref at Tad Gormley. Obviously Jesuit has the advantage here, they are playing on their home turf and they are reigning champs and they already beat Acadiana 5-2 earlier this year. (I was at the game, I know AHS had a starter out, and I know they put their JV in when it was 3-2, but so did Jesuit.)
However, this isn't November, it's February. This game will be won by the role players. I like AHS's defense. I think they are very underrated as a whole and I think they will cause problems for Jesuit. This game will be won or lost in the middle of the field. If Wilks and Co. can put high pressure on Jesuit in the middle, they will have an excellent shot at winning. Be ready AHS, Jesuit will take cheap shots, they have for the last 10 years, it's part of the game....don't lose your cool, just play soccer and you will be fine. Also, make sure Yandle doesn't get too intense and find himself out of position. In my honest opinion, this game goes into a shootout. May the best keeper win.

[goat]

the one thing hdkiga and i do have in common is we always support dist. 3. i think his point of view on the lafayette-rummel game is right on! rummel does have a very good defense but i don't think they have seen an offense this good all year. i have already predicted a 3-1win for the lions.

hdkiga is right about the other game as well. jesuit is playing at home, they have already beaten the rams once this year, they knocked the rams out of the playoffs last year, and the rams have never won at T G.
thats why i (and i am bias) like the rams in this one. the rams have gone through some tough times this year. a mid season slump, and some key injury's just to name two, but they have stuck together as a team. there are no "me" players on this team, they are the closest group of kids i have ever seen at acadiana including the 98 champs. look for their mental toughness to pull them through in this game, and if it goes to a shootout i know which keeper will win. no shootout in this game though the rams defense holed on to a 2-1 lead and the rams play the lions in the finals!!

[ShreveDad]

These two are going to be great matches that can go either way. I thought going into the playoffs they were the best four teams. I picked them all to win their quarterfinal matches, and now I am stumped.

Rummel at Lafayette On a neutral field this match would be really hard to pick. Unfortunately for Rummel it's being played at Lafayette and I can't pick against them at home. Lafayette has been the best team in the state since the holidays and they are my pick to win it all. Lafayette 3 Rummel 1

Acadiana at Jesuit Here I am going with the upset. Acadiana is on a roll now. They had a little slump a few weeks ago, dropped out of the top 10 and seem now to be on a mission to show everyone just how good they are. Acadiana 2 Jesuit 1

[goat]

thanks for picking the rams shrevedad i hope we don't let you down!

[1SuckyPlayer]

Lafayette to knock off rummel 2-1... Lafayette will overwelhm Rummel's defense in a close match

Acadiana to upset Jesuit 3-2... Jesuit didn't impress me at all in the game against CL. I think Acadiana will be able to come up with the upset.

[raoul]

LHS 2-Rummel 1
The Lions can taste it now. They have been a bridesmaid for too many years. They are ready to take it all the way this time!
GO LIONS!