Jays to Strawberry: Soccer to Compete for State Title

The Jesuit Blue Jay soccer team will head to Strawberry Stadium in Hammond, LA for the title contest against Catholic High School of Baton Rouge.

The season did not begin as the Jays had hope. With a 1-0 loss to the Willow School to open the season, the Blue Jay soccer team started on the wrong foot heading into what many hoped would be a championship caliber season. Luckily, the Jays did not take too kindly to losing. Since that opening loss, the Jays sit at 20-2-1 and as the number one seed in the LHSAA playoffs are heading to the state championship game. Their opponent will be a familiar one in Catholic High of Baton Rouge. The Jays and Bears finished in a 1-1 tie in their only meeting this season.

The Jays path to the title game began with quick victories against Destrehan and Brother Martin - both shutouts. The quarterfinals saw Jesuit take on a skilled team in St. Amant at the Lafreniere field on Mardi Gras day with the Jays taking the victory by a score of 3-1. With the victory, Jesuit moved into the semifinals against Dutchtown. Other than in the game against Catholic High, the Jays had only one other contest not end in a victory - a 1-1 tie against Dutchtown on December 1st.

With an Adien Obletz header, Jesuit broke through and took a 1-0 lead. Speaking to Nola.com, Obletz recalled, “I got a great pass from our center back Nick Mallen. It was a great crossing pass. The (Dutchtown) keeper came out, so I just wanted to get it right over him.’’ Behind stellar defensive play, that lead would be enough to secure the victory and send the Jays to Strawberry Stadium in Hammond, LA for the state final game.

Students interested in going to the state title game can join the spirit bus (forms are available in the student council office) for the 7:30pm game. Exclusive “Jays to Strawberry” t-shirts are available to anyone on the spirit bus and a limited supply will be distributed before the game. Good luck Jays!