By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – In a season of firsts for the newly established Lutcher soccer program, there was another Tuesday: the first rivalry soccer match between the Bulldogs and St. Charles Comets.

On this day, SCC ran its winning streak to four, besting Lutcher. 5-0, at Highway 51’s park.

“(Lutcher) is a first year program, and they looked pretty good,” said St. Charles coach Bill Ballard. “You can see some talented guys there, and they’re well coached. We came out a little flat, but we were able to take control of the game.

Jordan Miranda extended his run of good play, scoring two goals – he has scored in each Comet victory this season. Alex Rome, Josh Matherne and Martin Avalos each scored for the Comets.

SCC led 1-0 at halftime.

“I told my team to not overlook these guys,” said Ballard. “They might only be in their first year, but this is still a rivalry game. Everyone knows one another and they’ll be coming at it just as hard as you are. I’m not sure we were in the right frame of mind in the first half, though.”

In the second half, the Comets reestablished their focus.

“The guys responded,” said Ballard. “They did what we asked and they adjusted. We looked like a different team.”

Ballard said that the Comets have been experimenting with some different formations and having success offensively.

He also said that his team’s start is a welcome change of pace — the Comets have started slow in each of the past two seasons, but this year stand at 4-2.

“Last year we always seemed like we were a player or two away. This year, we’ve gotten those added contributions from some of our freshman,” said Ballard. “We have a lot of added depth.”

So much, in fact, that Ballard noted Thursday that the Comets were able to hold a JV game, then a full varsity practice. The SCC roster runs over 30 deep this year; typically, Ballard said, it’s around 20.

“We have a big freshman class,” he said.

That class could have ample opportunities to play in matches like Wednesday’s in the future.

“(Lutcher coach Zack Miller) said, ‘Let’s make this a yearly rivalry game from now on.’

“It seems like a pretty good idea,” Ballard said.