Ladycats win third in district play

Published 11:45 pm Tuesday, January 8, 2013

By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

RESERVE — After a couple of weeks to regroup following a tough loss to Destrehan — its first in district this season — East St. John’s girls soccer team rebounded for its third district victory, 3-1, at Bonnabel.

Dominique Lewis, Quiara Martin and Tyrionne Deary each scored goals for East St. John. Toni Monroe had two assists.

ESJ won despite playing without top offensive threat Nyanza Bell, who missed the game with illness.

“I thought we started just a little bit slow. But after about five minutes, we controlled things,” said East St. john coach Joe Perrilloux. “We really started playing better. It was a good way to bounce back from that loss. They didn’t let it get them into a funk.”

East St. John moved to 3-1 in District 8-I with the victory.

Perrilloux praised the work of the defense, particularly the play of Monroe and Diamond Edwards.

“Those are two of my top defenders, and they played really well for us again,” said Perrilloux.

Perrilloux has noted that while the team has struggled mightily to win without Bell in the past, the growth of his players throughout the roster has turned ESJ into a team that can overcome such adversity.

“Bonnabel beat us in the same situation last season, when she was out. I was worried that they might go out there thinking about that,” said Perrilloux. “But they played well. They didn’t let it phase them.”

ESJ was scheduled to face Hahnville on Tuesday, after press time.