By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

East St. John Coach Paul Dupuy has said that he expects every district game to be an intense battle this year.

The Wildcats’ matchup at East Ascension on Tuesday did nothing to disprove that.

East St. John’s Terrance Crushfield had an opportunity to tie the game at 3-3 with a penalty kick in the closing minutes of the contest. But Spartan goalkeeper Chad Leodler saved the shot, and with it, the game. East Ascension notched the 3-2 District 6-I win.

“I felt like we matched up speed wise,” said East St. John Coach Paul Dupuy. “They had more skill as far as passing the ball. We made a few mistakes as well, but made up for it with hustle.”

East Ascension (11-1-1) scored first on a penalty kick by Cesar Vallin, putting them ahead 1-0 in the first half.

But East St. John (4-3) answered to tie the game. Tyler Hazet dribbled the ball from midfield and got himself a good shot at the goal, which he converted.

“I don’t know that they expected us to be as quick as we were,” said Dupuy.

The Spartans were able to take a 2-1 halftime advantage when Kevin Navarro scored from 25-yards away.

The Wildcats once again answered the bell. Brandon Trant scored off of a corner kick on a one-touch shot to make it a tie game again, 2-2.

East Ascension took the lead for good, though, when Vallin penetrated the East St. John defense and assisted Samir Martinez, who put it in the net to finish the play.

Dupuy after the game was pleased that his team was able to push a strong program like East Ascension to its limit.

“I told my guys after the game, this is what it’s going to be like all season,” Dupuy said. “If our guys are patient and stick with the game plan, I think we can be in it at the end of the year.”