MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / December 15, 1999

BOUTTE – Christie Becnel scored on a penalty kick at the 28 minute mark of the second half, giving Hahnville a 1-0 victory over Destrehan in a defensive struggle Friday night at Hahnville’s Tiger Stadium.

Hahnville stayed in first place in District 10-I with a 4-0 record and improved to 6-2 overall. Destrehan fell to 3-1 in district play and 3-2overall.

Both teams had chances to score but the defenses, led by Destrehan’s Natalie Robert and Cynthia Rodriguez and Hahnville’s Julie Porche and Jessica Jones, dominated the game throughout.

At the 27 minute mark, Rodriguez put a shot on goal from just outside the box that was grabbed by Lady Tiger goal tender Jennifer Hicks. AfterHahnville gained possession, Christy Sincavage took the ball in and centered a pass to Nicole Watson who was taken down inside the box. TheLady Tigers went to Becnel on the penalty kick and she delivered, sending a kick into the top over the net just over the reach of goalie Courtney Charvat.

Destrehan had one final chance at the 35-minute mark as Katie Logan’s shot on goal from the left side was stopped by Hicks. Liz Green followedwith a shot from the right side that was also saved by Hicks.

The first half was played mostly in the Destrehan side of the field. TheLady Cats got the first scoring opportunity as Rodriguez’s shot from outside the box skipped wide right at the seven-minute mark. Two minuteslater, Brittany McClung put a shot on goal that was grabbed by Hicks.

Hahnville had the next opportunity as Sincavage put a shot on the net that was grabbed by Charvat 14 minutes into the game. Two minutes later,Robert swept away a charge by the Lady Tigers up front. Destrehan tookthe ball down the field with McClung’s shot grabbed by Hicks. PelyrOrdoyne then chased down a pass in the left corner but had her shot bounce left of the net.

Destrehan kept up the pressure at the 37-minute mark as McClung attempted a shot from the left corner that sailed high. Rodriguez then puta free kick on net that was grabbed by Hicks. McClung followed with acrossing pass to Garatie whose shot sailed wide left, leaving the game scoreless at halftime.

The first minutes of the second half were also spent in the Destrehan zone as McClung tapped a shot in front of the net that was grabbed by Hicks. Atthe seven-minute mark, Logan chased down a shot on the left side but had her shot hit the side of the net. Jessica Ladreyt then tried a shot that wassaved by Hicks. A minute later, Rodriguez centered a pass to Garatie in thebox but her shot sailed high.

It was then Hahnville’s turn as Alyson Bordelon took a pass on the right side but had her shot grabbed by Charvat. Sincavage then tried a shot fromthe right side but again Charvat was there for the save 22 minutes into the half.

“It was a great win for us,” Hahnville coach Mendi Leboeuf said. “I wasextremely pleased with our defense. They held them from getting qualityshots. Both teams played there hearts out.”Leboeuf said the play of the defense allowed the team to play more aggressively on offense in the second half.

“We felt at halftime, with the way the defense was playing, that we could push it the field more offensively at that point,” Leboeuf said.

Destrehan coach Jennifer Acosta pointed out Rodriguez and Garatie for their play defensively and offensively, respectively.

“Cynthia played awesome,” Acosta said, adding that the Lady Cats will be waiting for the Lady Tigers when they host them Jan. 21. “We’ll have themat our place and we’ll have our goalie back.”

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