Sports Report December 17, 2024

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Boys Soccer

The boys varsity soccer team (11-0) remains undefeated and is the top-ranked team in Division IV, both in the power rankings and the coaches’ poll. They faced three tough opponents this week and won all three games.

On Thursday (12/12), the boys hosted Archbishop Rummel High School, an especially challenging team and perennial Division II competitor for the state championship trophy that had defeated the Greenies last year in a 2-0 shutout. This year, the Greenies turned the tables on Varsity Sports Now here, prevailing 3-0 with Coach Badie’s strong starting XI and no substitutions that fought hard to secure the victory. In the 26th minute, right winger Amar Walia lifted a ball that looked headed over the goal line high into the goal area, where Rylan Claverie bullied it in past the leaping keeper and defender for his 14th goal of the season. Just before halftime, midfielder Jake Isenberg was able to take a throw-in from Jack Hance to his right and blast a beauty into the upper ninety for goal number two.

Late in the second half, the Raiders managed to break through the back line and score only the second goal allowed by the Greenies all season. After a few tense moments, the Greenies put the game away when Paul Richard back heeled a pass to Walia, who ripped a low shot through traffic to make it 3-1. The team no doubt appreciated the wonderful support of the home crowd parents and supporters in unflappable student section, who never missed a beat in cheering on their fellow classmates.

On Saturday (12/14), the boys had an exciting day at the Copa Acadiana 2024 tournament in Baton Rouge. In the first match, the Greenies did a great job dispatching H.L. Bourgeois High School 2-0, with goals by Richard and Alex Dulitz. With starting goalkeeper Charlie Guy getting a day off between the sticks, junior Henry Houghton had some nice saves and a clean sheet.

The second game against North Vermillion High School was a tougher test, but the Greenies prevailed with two goals by sophomore Roan Plymale and later, a penalty kick score by George Villere. Though the Patriots were able to score on an indirect free kick, junior goalkeeper Archie Casbarian had a strong performance, including an exceptional and diving save to the right on a penalty kick - a rare feat! - that kept the 3-1 scoreline within a nice margin.

After a break for midterm examinations, there are some upcoming games you won’t want to miss. On Saturday (12/21) at 12pm, the Greenies will host Fontainebleau High School (8-4-2), pitting the boys against a very tough opponent in a double header with the girls. On New Year’s Eve (12/21), the Greenies will face Archbishop Shaw High School (3-2-1) at 2pm on foreign soil (away). Both opponents are always very strong, and this year will be no exception. Good luck, gentlemen, and we look forward to seeing some great futbol and some outstanding fan support.

Girls Soccer

Fresh off their improbable come-from-behind win against Northshore High School on Monday night, the Greenies (3-0-1) hosted Baton Rouge powerhouse Parkview Baptist School (9-1) on Wednesday afternoon at Michael Lupin Field. With a strong defensive effort led by senior center backs Claire Charpentier and MaryCatherine Flower and senior midfielder Sydney Gallagher, the Greenies held the top-ranked team in Division III and their NCAA-bound strikers scoreless in the first half.

In the second half, though, the Panthers relentless attack overpowered the Greenies, resulting in two goals for the visitors. Though the Newman girls passed the ball well and created some opportunities, the Parkview side continued their runs toward goal for the duration and kept the Greenies on their collective back foot. Unable to conjure the counterattack magic that created the victory on Monday night, the Greenies suffered their first loss of the season, falling to the Panthers for the second year in a row. Final score: 0-2.

Despite the loss, the girls were voted this week as the top team in Division IV by the Louisiana Soccer Coaches.

This week, the girls are in exams, but will crank into high gear over the holidays. On Friday (12/20), the Greenies will host Lafayette High School at 5pm, followed by a double header with the boys on Saturday (12/21) against Southside High School at home starting at 10am. On Monday (12/23), the girls will be away against neighborhood rival Academy of the Sacred Heart at 2pm, and on December 30, the Greenies will head to Baton Rouge for a difficult match against the second-ranked team in Division I, St. Joseph’s Academy.

Boys Basketball

However, they faced a tougher challenge on Friday (12/13) at home against McDonough 35 Senior High School, ultimately falling 49-44 in a closely contested game. Despite the loss, the varsity boys, now 6-1 on the regular season, demonstrated resilience and remained very competitive throughout.

Meanwhile, the JV team participated in the Country Tournament League on Saturday, where they faced a challenging matchup against Edna Karr High School. Although they came up short, the JV boys bounced back later that day with a win against Sophie B. Wright Charter School, showcasing their ability to adapt and finish strong.

Girls Basketball

The girls varsity basketball team went 1-2 last week with a big win over East Jefferson High School and two tough losses against St. Scholastica Academy and Riverdale High School, as the Greenies battle with player injuries. The junior varsity team went 1-1, which included a victory over Riverdale and a loss to St. Scholastica.

In the varsity game against East Jefferson on Tuesday (12/10), the Greenies defeated the Warriors 58-7. Junior Madison Williams led the team with 16 points and sophomore Dawson Wells added 10 points to the score. Four players tallied six points each, including juniors Sophia Mills, Jessica Taranto, and Amari Jones and freshman Breigha Leal. Also putting points on the board were senior Kasia Wells and sophomore Jane McEachin. Game highlights can be seen on Hudl here.

On Wednesday (12/11), the varsity team lost to St. Scholastica Academy 27-62. Williams again led the team with 8 points. Wells had 6 points, Jones scored 5 points, and the other players to score were senior Stella Joyce and juniors Mills and Taranto. The Hudl game highlights are here.

The JV team also lost to the Doves, 20-34. The team had a strong first quarter, but unfortunately, St. Scholastica had more success with the basket in the remaining three quarters. Leal led the team with eight points, while McEachin and freshman Katherine Aucoin each added four points. Also scoring were Mills and sophomore Brooklyn Westley.

Two days later, on Friday (12/13), the varsity team lost to Riverdale 37-63. Williams led the team with 16 points and Wells scored eight points. Baskets were also made by senior Stella Joyce, Jones, and eighth grader Piper Christian. Game highlights can be seen on Hud here. In the companion game, the JV team bounced back from its loss on Wednesday with a strong victory over Riverdale.

This upcoming week, the team will celebrate the end of exams by playing a game at Walter L. Cohen High School on Friday (12/20) at 5:30pm. After that, both the varsity and JV teams will finish the calendar year by competing in the Gulf Shores Beach Bash tournament, from December 27 to 30. Go Greenies!

Upcoming Schedule

See the latest Newman sports schedule here and purchase individual home game tickets here. Thank you for supporting Newman athletics, its teams, players, coaches, and administration.