Post by Bish on Feb 21, 2004 10:53:51 GMT -6
From the Lake Charles American Press
americanpress.com/sports/docs/sports05.shtml
It's become glaringly obvious that Division III boys soccer is split into two groups — St. Louis and not St. Louis.
The Saints, who don't even bother playing Division III teams in non-district games, have been ranked No. 1 all season and have disposed of their postseason foes as if they were a bunch of Freddy Adu's playing the Resthaven women's team.
St. Louis has outscored its two playoff opponents 14-0. Combined with last year's 17-0 scoring advantage in the postseason, it's no wonder the defending champions have been the team to beat all season.
"We've got a lot of confidence in our kids," said St. Louis coach Jason Oertling. "There are some kids on this team that just won't allow us to lose."
Up next for the Saints (25-6-2) is a semifinal road trip to face the St. Thomas Aquinas Falcons at 2 p.m. today in Hammond. The winner will take on St. Martin's at 4 p.m. Friday at Tad Gormley Stadium in New Orleans for the state championship.
The Falcons (16-6-5) are no strangers to St. Louis. The Saints have ended St. Thomas Aquinas' season the past two years. Last year St. Louis beat the Falcons 3-0 in the championship game, while eliminating the Falcons in the semifinals in 2002.
"They are a lot like us with a good core of players back from last year," said Oertling. "They are good on defense and their forward, Kenneth Gumpert, is one of the best in the state.
"They will definitely challenge us. All year long these two teams have been the best in Division III."
The Falcons have been ranked second in Division III all season, which sounds impressive, but basically means St. Louis goalkeeper Hank Chol might have to wear shoes.
"I hope Hank doesn't have to work too much," said Oertling. "It's an unrealistic goal to think you will never be scored on.
"What I stress to the team is the mental side of it. If someone does score, we need to get it back and stay focused."
Scoring has been no problem for the Saints, especially for the duo of Joseph Lapira and Craig Greenman.
Lapira leads St. Louis with 34 goals and 33 assists this season, while Greenman has been good for 28 goals and 18 assists for the Saints.
"We've been pretty focused the last couple of days on St. Thomas Aquinas," Oertling said. "We've played a tough schedule this year and have beaten most of the teams still playing in each Division. We have a good feeling."
americanpress.com/sports/docs/sports05.shtml
It's become glaringly obvious that Division III boys soccer is split into two groups — St. Louis and not St. Louis.
The Saints, who don't even bother playing Division III teams in non-district games, have been ranked No. 1 all season and have disposed of their postseason foes as if they were a bunch of Freddy Adu's playing the Resthaven women's team.
St. Louis has outscored its two playoff opponents 14-0. Combined with last year's 17-0 scoring advantage in the postseason, it's no wonder the defending champions have been the team to beat all season.
"We've got a lot of confidence in our kids," said St. Louis coach Jason Oertling. "There are some kids on this team that just won't allow us to lose."
Up next for the Saints (25-6-2) is a semifinal road trip to face the St. Thomas Aquinas Falcons at 2 p.m. today in Hammond. The winner will take on St. Martin's at 4 p.m. Friday at Tad Gormley Stadium in New Orleans for the state championship.
The Falcons (16-6-5) are no strangers to St. Louis. The Saints have ended St. Thomas Aquinas' season the past two years. Last year St. Louis beat the Falcons 3-0 in the championship game, while eliminating the Falcons in the semifinals in 2002.
"They are a lot like us with a good core of players back from last year," said Oertling. "They are good on defense and their forward, Kenneth Gumpert, is one of the best in the state.
"They will definitely challenge us. All year long these two teams have been the best in Division III."
The Falcons have been ranked second in Division III all season, which sounds impressive, but basically means St. Louis goalkeeper Hank Chol might have to wear shoes.
"I hope Hank doesn't have to work too much," said Oertling. "It's an unrealistic goal to think you will never be scored on.
"What I stress to the team is the mental side of it. If someone does score, we need to get it back and stay focused."
Scoring has been no problem for the Saints, especially for the duo of Joseph Lapira and Craig Greenman.
Lapira leads St. Louis with 34 goals and 33 assists this season, while Greenman has been good for 28 goals and 18 assists for the Saints.
"We've been pretty focused the last couple of days on St. Thomas Aquinas," Oertling said. "We've played a tough schedule this year and have beaten most of the teams still playing in each Division. We have a good feeling."
