Comets fall to Cardinals
Published 12:00 am Saturday, January 23, 2010
By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur
THIBODAUX – It was where St. Charles wanted to be – embroiled in a scoreless deadlock with District 8-III favorite E.D. White with halftime quickly approaching.
But a momentum-changing play right with seconds left on the clock lifted the Cardinals to a 1-0 lead and spurred them on to a 3-0 district win over the rival Comets.
E.D. White scored with 30 seconds left before halftime, then added goals in the 48th and 52nd minute of the game to climb into sole possession of first place in the district standings.
“Our girls went into the game knowing E.D. White was the team to beat,” said St. Charles coach Don Peyton. “I think we gave them more than they expected.
SCC had opportunities to score, Peyton said, but just couldn’t convert.
“We just missed on little fundamental things, little details, and as in any sport, it can cost you,” said Peyton.
Peyton said that once E.D. White (6-5-2, 2-0) got the lead entering halftime, he could sense a letdown within his team.
“I’m not sure that if we don’t let that one in right before halftime, if it isn’t a completely different game. It sort of took the wind out of our sails.
“For awhile, it was like a football game where nobody can break through, just seeing two teams moving from 20 to 20.
“It was a mind game of sorts, just back and forth.”
One bright spot for the Comets (2-9-2, 1-1) was the play of Shelby Schneider, who started her second match at goalkeeper after debuting in the position last week in SCC’s game at Riverside.
“She played a whale of a game,” said Peyton. “Her play kept us in it. She used to play goalie on her travel team, but hasn’t done it in awhile. She’s showing that she’s still good at that position for us.”
Even with the loss, the Comets control their own destiny this week. SCC will host Riverside on Monday, then rematch with E.D. White on Friday.
Wins in each game would deliver at least a share of the district championship to the Comets.
“It’s a really big week. For me, if we do things right, we can see a different outcome,” said Peyton.
“I don’t think the 3-0 score really indicates what a competitive game this was. (E.D. White) Coach (Don) Grabert knows we can put together a good defensive plan.
“If we play to our potential, maybe we’ll have co-champs this year.”