The Hahnville Lady Tigers of a season ago showed promise.
This year’s edition? The realization of that potential.
It’s not even likely to be the peak form that a Tigers team with so many young players will ultimately take, but a team that continually gets better and better has gone 11-3-1 thus far this season, highlighted by a 12-match unbeaten run that ended Tuesday night at Mt. Carmel, 2-0.
“It’s a continuation of last year … we had the pieces in place, we were just really young,” said Hahnville head coach Edgar Fuentes. “Now, we’re a year stronger, more mature, faster. We’re not getting pushed off the ball as easily. We have a group of seniors who believe in our team and who bring tremendous leadership to the table. The way they’ve incorporated this freshman class has been great to watch.”
This Tigers team is a true blend of youth and experience. Four seniors start – the rest of the lineup consists of freshmen and sophomores.
Senior Ashlyn DeSoto has followed up on a tremendous junior year and once again has asserted herself as a dangerous striker. She recently signed with Belhaven to continue her soccer career at the collegiate level. Fellow seniors Riley Folse, Taylor Madere and Addison Agnelly are part of an experienced group Fuentes called the glue of the team – Agnelly returning this season after a knee injury sidelined her for her junior year.
This senior class was the first freshmen class Fuentes worked with upon arriving at Hahnville.
“It’s a team with great camaraderie, a sisterhood of friends who are there to one another,” Fuentes said. “They wanted this team to be one where no matter what grade level you are, talent level, or what club you play for, you’re part of this team and we need you to be successful.”
Goalkeeper Adelyn Bersuder has had a very strong season, one that’s helped fuel a Tiger defense that’s recorded eight shutouts this season.
And freshman Olivia Lendle has made a big splash in her first year, leading the team in goals scored thus far. Fellow freshman Lauren Oubre has played very well at center-midfielder.
Fuentes believes in his team – and for good reason.
“We’ve found our identity. We know how to play,” Fuentes said. “We know when to high press a team, when to counter-attack and how to dictate tempo. This is a team with experience, talent and just great heart. I think we have all the pieces to go deep into the playoffs, if not go all the way to the state championship.”
Wins over St. Amant, 2-1, Episcopal, 1-0 and Southside, 1-0 – all on the road – capped off the unbeaten streak. Tuesday’s matchup with a soccer power in Mt. Carmel ended the run, but Fuentes called it an opportunity to learn.
“It’s a wakeup call going into district play,” Fuentes said – HHS began District 7-I play this week – “I’ve told the girls that if you want to make it deep into the playoffs, and play in that final game of the season? We need to play faster and play smarter and do it as soon as that opening whistle. We need to be ready to go from the start.”
