By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

LAPLACE — After two straight district championships, Riverside began district play this season with an unfamiliar feeling: a loss to University Lab, the Rebels first district loss since the 2011-2012 season. 

But Riverside rebounded last week with a 3-1 District 7-III victory at Parkview Baptist, keeping the Rebels on track to earn a postseason berth in Division III. 

“We know we need to finish in one of those top two spots to ensure a spot,” said Riverside coach Mert Deger. “It was an important win on the road for us.”

Jordan Duhon scored two goals and Maddie Duhon another to pace Riverside. 

Jordan Duhon’s two goals came early on and gave Riverside (5-4-3, 1-1) a 2-0 lead. 

“That gave us a lot of confidence out the gate,” said Deger. “We were pretty charged up.”

But Deger said after that initial surge, the Rebels relaxed a bit. Parkview took advantage, scoring a goal to cut their deficit to one, and the Rebels had to dig in defensively.

“I thought we did a nice job after allowing the goal of holding down their opportunities,” said Deger. “Our goalkeeper, MacKenzie (Saucier-Meyer) held her ground. She made some really nice stops and stepped up in a big way.”

With three minutes left to play, Maddie Duhon shot and scored to put things out of reach for Riverside. 

The Lady Rebels are back in action today as they prepare to face visiting St. Charles Catholic at 11 a.m.

“It’s always a rivalry between these two teams,” said Deger, who as a first-year coach will be leading the Rebels for the first time in the SCC/RA series. “I think we’re going to see everyone raise their game for this one.”