Rebels hang tough early, but fall to surging Cardinals in soccer

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, January 15, 2008

by RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

As E.D. White began to prepare itself for an upcoming district-deciding pair of matches against St. Charles, it first would have to get past fellow district foe Riverside.

Early on, it wasn’t easy for the Cardinals, as they couldn’t shake a Rebels team clinging to a 1-1 tie 34 minutes in.

But in the match’s 35th minute, E.D. White scored again, and never looked back. It would score once more before halftime, and seven times in the second half to emerge with a 10-2 victory at home.

Jesse LeBlanc and Ben Plaisance each scored goals for Riverside.

E.D. White (6-5-4) has shaken off a slow start to the season and is now unbeaten in its last five games.

E.D. White (6-5-4) had a quick start, and scored its first goal 45 seconds into the game.

LeBlanc tied the game up in the 14th minute of play with a goal of his own.

“It was real exciting in the first half,” said Riverside Coach Daniel Waguespack. “They have a lot of depth and they controlled the ball. They basically wore us out.”

LeBlanc’s goal came as no surprise to Waguespack, as the coach says that LeBlanc has been one of his senior leaders on the field all season long.

“I feel like he’s one of the better players in our district,” said Waguespack. “His talent is so high that it can be tough on him, facing consistent double teams. He works it to our other players well.”

Although the Rebels have suffered back to back losses in district play, Riverside still maintains a clear shot at postseason play, with rematches awaiting against district foes Houma Christian, St. Charles and E.D. White. One more win would likely qualify the Rebels, who are 1-2 in district.

“That’s our focus right now,” said Waguespack. “We still have a shot to get into the playoffs. We just have to keep up our intensity and play as we’re capable.”