Post by AICWildcat on Feb 13, 2007 18:47:04 GMT -6
An article from the Baton Rouge Advocate
DUTCHTOWN — Chelsea Cruthirds and Rachel Jiminez helped Dutchtown take control of a tight contest with second-half goals as the Griffins edged Ascension Parish rival St. Amant, 2-0, in quarterfinal Division I playoff action.
Cruthirds broke a scoreless tie with her goal in the 54th minute, and Jiminez scored on a follow shot 15 minutes later to ice Dutchtown’s third win this season over its District 4 rival.
“The only thing I told the girls was that it would come down to who wants the game more,” Dutchtown coach Anant Vyas said. “That was really the only motivation they needed, and they took it to the field.”
With the win, Dutchtown (21-4-0) advances to make its first appearance in the state semifinals, where it will face the Mandeville-Dominican winner. The win also served as vindication for the Griffins, who appeared headed to the District 4 title before faltering late.
With the top quarter of the Division I playoff bracket featuring the top three Division 4 teams, it turned into a final test for the rivals after each team won its opening game. St. Amant edged regular-season champion Baton Rouge High to move into a final meeting with Dutchtown.
“Losing to them three times in one season is very frustrating, but both teams played well,” St. Amant coach Jason Naquin said. “I’m excited that at least one of us is moving on. It’s a good showing for Ascension Parish as a whole. We’re very proud.”
St. Amant (12-14-1) pressured the Dutchtown goal in the first half, but was unable to find the back of the net. Dutchtown struggled as well against Gators goalie Stacey Luquette.
In the second half, Vyas moved Leanne Johnson to midfield from sweeper, and the difference was immediate. Dutchtown began to control the midfield and create scoring opportunities with Johnson getting help from Haley English and Annie Etzel.
“(English and Etzel) really stepped up and made the difference,” Naquin said. “You know Leanne and Chelsea will be there, but when those two stepped up it made all the difference.”
Dutchtown appeared to have scored its first goal of the contest in the 46th minute after Johnson’s free kick from just behind the top of the penalty box. Johnson quickly passed right to English, who scored in the right side of the net.
But Dutchtown was called offside, and the goal was disallowed when a Griffin obstructed the view of Luquette.
In the 53rd minute, Cruthird put a kick over the goal close range, but she came right back seconds later. With her back to the goal near the top of the penalty box, Cruthirds took a pass from Johnson, turned and scored with a left-footed kick.
Jiminez’ score came on an open-goal follow shot in the 69th minute. Johnson sent a cross to Erica Sweeney alone on the left side of the box, but Luquette charged the play and made a diving deflection. Jiminez took control and scored easily from the right side of the box.
“Stacey came up big for us tonight, but (Johnson and Cruthirds) executed well,” Naquin said.
It was also another strong night for the Griffins defense, which shut out St. Amant for the second time this season.
“The defense was the key for us,” Vyas said.
www.2theadvocate.com/sports/preps/featured/5800471.html
Congratulations to Coach Vyas (Always a class act!) and the Lady Griffs!
There's a great photograph to check out if you go to the website. I would have posted it but the enlarged image was too big! Thanks to the Advocate for the excellent playoff coverage!
DUTCHTOWN — Chelsea Cruthirds and Rachel Jiminez helped Dutchtown take control of a tight contest with second-half goals as the Griffins edged Ascension Parish rival St. Amant, 2-0, in quarterfinal Division I playoff action.
Cruthirds broke a scoreless tie with her goal in the 54th minute, and Jiminez scored on a follow shot 15 minutes later to ice Dutchtown’s third win this season over its District 4 rival.
“The only thing I told the girls was that it would come down to who wants the game more,” Dutchtown coach Anant Vyas said. “That was really the only motivation they needed, and they took it to the field.”
With the win, Dutchtown (21-4-0) advances to make its first appearance in the state semifinals, where it will face the Mandeville-Dominican winner. The win also served as vindication for the Griffins, who appeared headed to the District 4 title before faltering late.
With the top quarter of the Division I playoff bracket featuring the top three Division 4 teams, it turned into a final test for the rivals after each team won its opening game. St. Amant edged regular-season champion Baton Rouge High to move into a final meeting with Dutchtown.
“Losing to them three times in one season is very frustrating, but both teams played well,” St. Amant coach Jason Naquin said. “I’m excited that at least one of us is moving on. It’s a good showing for Ascension Parish as a whole. We’re very proud.”
St. Amant (12-14-1) pressured the Dutchtown goal in the first half, but was unable to find the back of the net. Dutchtown struggled as well against Gators goalie Stacey Luquette.
In the second half, Vyas moved Leanne Johnson to midfield from sweeper, and the difference was immediate. Dutchtown began to control the midfield and create scoring opportunities with Johnson getting help from Haley English and Annie Etzel.
“(English and Etzel) really stepped up and made the difference,” Naquin said. “You know Leanne and Chelsea will be there, but when those two stepped up it made all the difference.”
Dutchtown appeared to have scored its first goal of the contest in the 46th minute after Johnson’s free kick from just behind the top of the penalty box. Johnson quickly passed right to English, who scored in the right side of the net.
But Dutchtown was called offside, and the goal was disallowed when a Griffin obstructed the view of Luquette.
In the 53rd minute, Cruthird put a kick over the goal close range, but she came right back seconds later. With her back to the goal near the top of the penalty box, Cruthirds took a pass from Johnson, turned and scored with a left-footed kick.
Jiminez’ score came on an open-goal follow shot in the 69th minute. Johnson sent a cross to Erica Sweeney alone on the left side of the box, but Luquette charged the play and made a diving deflection. Jiminez took control and scored easily from the right side of the box.
“Stacey came up big for us tonight, but (Johnson and Cruthirds) executed well,” Naquin said.
It was also another strong night for the Griffins defense, which shut out St. Amant for the second time this season.
“The defense was the key for us,” Vyas said.
www.2theadvocate.com/sports/preps/featured/5800471.html
Congratulations to Coach Vyas (Always a class act!) and the Lady Griffs!
There's a great photograph to check out if you go to the website. I would have posted it but the enlarged image was too big! Thanks to the Advocate for the excellent playoff coverage!