97B Louisiana Fire Blue

After a slow start, the 97B LA Fire Blue came back to win the C2 championship, defeating the LYSA Revolution 2-1 in the final. They went on to represent Louisiana in the Presidents cup in Greensboro, NC.

The LA Fire Blue won the U15 Black bracket at the Orange Beach Shootout with an emphatic 2-0 win over the Madisonville Spartans.

The tournament started out slowly when the team only managed a 0-0 tie in the first game Staurday against the Madisonville Spartans. The team picked it up in the second game against the Navarre fury, with goalie Reed Gravolet (playing as a forward) latching on to a through pass from Nicky Alfonso to smash the ball past the helpless goalie and into the back of the net. Gravolet's goal proved to be the match winner. Needing only a tie Sunday morning against a team who had been beaten 3-0 in both previous games, the Blues struggled to find their rythm and were unfortunate to go down 1-0 when a shot rebounded of the post, hit goal keeper David Terral and bounced over the line. Despite pouring everyone forward, the team was unable to get the equalizer that would have guaranteed a spot in the final. Fortunately, Madisonville's win over the Fury put the Fire in the final. The final started out brightly with both teams pushing hard and creating chances. The turning point came in the first half when Jack Elliott's free kick into the box was met by Nicky Alfonso's header which was going toward the upper 90. A Madisonville defender used his hands to push it over the bar and was promptly dismissed for an intentional handball in the box and preventing an obvious scoring opportunity. Colin Sharpe made no mistake with the ensuing penalty to make it 1-0. Down to 10 men, the Spartans decided to play with three defenders, which opened up the lanes for the Blues' forwards. Alex Fuselier was put through by a pinpoint pass from Colin Sharpe, and took his time, waited for the goalie to be wrongfooted and slid the ball passed him and into the goal. In the second half Madisonville pressed harder, but the Fire defense soaked up the pressure and restricted them mainly to shots from outside the box which didn't really trouble goal keeeper David Terral. The CFJL Blue team created chances on the other end but some fine saves by the Madisonville goalie kept them in the game. The final whistle blew and the LA Fire won their first tournament of the season.

We would like to thank Coaches Rich Russell and Drew Wright for covering for St. Nick during the tournament, as well as Coaches Dan Tadros and Al Silvas for offering to help.

The Schedule for Orange Beach has been posted. As always these games may be subject to change.

Everybody please come to practices Tuesday and Thursday next week. 7pm at Audubon Field D1.

Ben Franklin lost to Jesuit 3-0 in their pre-season game Saturday. Colin (#1), James (#11) and Lonnie all made the team.

Reed is the starting Goalie for the Holy Cross Varsity. They won their scrimmage against Covington High 2-1