Boys Soccer Finals: Holy Cross edges Lakeshore in penalty kick drama to repeat in Division II

(Lafayette)

The Division II boys soccer final may have been in Lafayette but it featured a classic battle of south shore versus north shore.

Defending champion Holy Cross and district rival Lakeshore did not want to leave early either.

Even though the top-seeded Tigers defeated Lakeshore two previous times this season in district play – taking a 1-0 victory at Lakeshore on Dec. 8 and a 3-0 on Jan. 24 at Holy Cross – there was a sense a third time might be the charm for the third-seeded Titans.

Capping a defensive battle where no goals were scored through two halves and each team netted once in overtime, Holy Cross won in the penalty kick phase 3-1 over Lakeshore to secure back-to-back Division II championships.

After a scoreless regulation period Holy Cross struck first when Sinjin Mills shot past Lakeshore goalkeeper Jakob Morales one minute into the overtime period to give the Tigers the 1-0 lead. Lakeshore responded six minutes later thanks to Jacob Bernard, who worked his way through the Holy Cross defense and scored to make the game a 1-1 tie.

In the penalty Kick phase, Holy Cross hit the net three times on conversions by Ethan Garvey, Nolan Heitmeier and Carlos Castallanos. The lone Lakeshore goal also came from Jacob Bernard but a key stop from Holy Cross keeper Thomas Dugal on Ryan Jeanfreau’s penalty kick for Lakeshore ultimately sealed the victory for Holy Cross.

“It’s incredible to win back to back state championships after a long and exhausting season,” Holy Cross Head Coach Matt Millet said. “We were the defending champions and the defacto No. 1 seed during the season so we had the bullseye on our backs the whole season.”

Dugal’s individual brilliance earned him the game’s most outstanding player honor but he was still focused on the big picture after the wild finish.

“I give credit to Holy Cross Director of Soccer Stuart Hayers and Head Coach Matt Millet. There is not a thing on the field I wouldn’t do for them.”

His coach was also matter-of-fact about Dugal’s performance, a sign that the Tigers have reached the highest levelof expectations as a program.

“Thomas Dugal has made several goal saves during the season and he played very well tonight,” said Millet.

But make not mistake about it, the Tigers will savor the accomplishment.

“This is an exciting and amazing time for Holy Cross Soccer,” Dugal said witha wide smile.

Earlier in the night, St. Thomas More blanked Lakeshore, 2-0, in the Division II girls final.

LHSAA Girls Soccer Final Results/Schedule
Division III
(2) Teurlings Catholic 3, (1) Vandebilt Catholic 0

Division II
(1) St. Thomas More 2, (2) Lakeshore 0

Division IV
(1) Loyola Prep (24-4-4) vs. (2) Episcopal of Acadiana (16-2-1), 5 pm Fri.

Division I
(8) Northshore (18-4-2) vs. (2) St. Scholastica (22-0-3), 7:30 pm Fri.

LHSAA Boys Soccer Final Results/Schedule
Division III
(2) University High 5, (4) Loyola Prep 4

Division II
(1) Holy Cross 1, (3) Lakeshore 1 (HC wins 3-1 on penalty kicks)

Division IV
(2) Newman (15-4-4) vs. (3) Northlake Christian (14-4-2), 4:30 pm Sat.

Division I
(2) Jesuit (26-0-7) vs. (1) St. Paul’s (27-1-5), 7:30 pm Sat.