(COVINGTON, La.) — The St. Paul’s Soccer Team has shined once again in the bright lights of Hunter Stadium. The soccer Wolves fought hard and defeated the Mandeville Skippers 4-0 in the second round of the 2019 LHSAA State Championship Playoffs. The soccer Wolves are making a dominant run this year, living up to the stellar soccer reputation Saint Paul’s boasts, as the wolves are currently ranked first in the division, state, and nation.

BREAKDOWN

The Wolves started off slow, only scoring one goal in the first half of regulation. Walmsley’s first goal of the night came off a penalty kick, to put the Wolves up 1-0 midway through the first half. The SPS defense almost looked lackadaisical in the first half, and the Skippers got through the defense four times. Senior Goalkeeper Trace Roberts had two impressive saves, meeting the Skippers offense at the point of attack. Senior Forward Ty Priola, when asked about the first half, said, “We started slow, but then we picked up the pace and were able to break them down.”

The Wolves came out of halftime with their cleats on fire. The Skippers defense fell through and the Wolves took numerous shots at the goal. Walmsley scored another goal from a penalty kick and another goal from twenty yards out, completing his hat trick. Junior Midfielder Jake Till added a goal from twenty five yards out. The Skippers were not able to keep up with the intensity the Wolves showed. There was not a single break in the Wolves defense in the second half and eventually, Coach Sean Moser decided Roberts was done for the night and put in sophomore Goalkeeper Hunter Kergosien. The Wolves put some of their reserves in the game and let the clock drip down to where there was no time left, securing the victory.

Player of the Game

The player of the game is undisputedly senior Conner Walmsley. Walmsley had a memorable night as he begins to wrap up his SPS soccer career under the lights of Hunter Stadium. Conner really sparked this team out of their first-half slump and energized the wolves with three goals.

“Conner really tore it up, we bounced off his energy in the second half and played well as a team,” Priola said of his teammate.

“It felt amazing completing a hat trick tonight, especially against Mandeville. It was great beating one of our rivals in a playoff game, especially after what happened two years ago. It just feels great,” Walmsley said.

Next Up

The Wolves will take on the Catholic High Bears on Tuesday, February 12th at Hunter Stadium to advance to the semi-finals round of the 2019 LHSAA Division I State Championship Playoffs.