Last week, February 28-March 6, 2011, the Jesuit varsity soccer team took on Skyline and Richardson, finishing the week at 1-1. On Friday, March 4th, Jesuit hosted Richardson in a tough District 9-5A matchup.

After going nine games without being defeated, the Rangers got a reminder of the sour taste of defeat when they took on Richardson.  At 11-4-2, Richardson opened the game strong and never relinquished their hold on the game, fending off the Rangers for a 3-2 victory. It was a tough game for Jesuit, as Richardson fought hard to move within percentage points of the Rangers for first place in the district. Ini Bryce (’11) was held out of the scoring column by the tenacious Richardson defense, who keyed on the Jesuit star forward all night. Despite nice goals from Owen Kalis (’12) on a header and Tanner Davis (’13), Jesuit failed to emerge from the contest victorious and must come up with a victory against Sunset on March 22 to capture the District title and head into the playoffs with a full head of steam. Jesuit blanked Sunset 6-0 earlier in the year, but that game came at home and playing at Sprague Stadium will surely give an inspired Sunset team more incentive to fight for a victory. The defending state titleholders, Jesuit needs to come together as a unit under Coach Charlie Delong’s direction if they are to repeat as champions.

 

Photography by Charles Mathis