
The Hahnville Lady Tigers have won five matches in a row and have lost just once in their past 18 matches – and as things project now, it will have the seeding to show for it.
HHS entered the week ranked No. 2 in the Division I power point rankings, which would net the Lady Tigers the 2nd overall seed in the bracket if the playoffs began today. The Tigers are unbeaten in District 7-I with one match between them and an undefeated district championship, that being rival Destrehan on Friday night. That match will be at Destrehan.
After Mount Carmel snapped Hahnville’s 12 match unbeaten streak on Jan. 7 via a 2-0 victory, the Tigers have put together wins against Thibodaux, 3-2, East Jefferson, 8-0, Terrebonne, 6-0, St. Thomas Aquinas, 4-0, and H.L. Bourgeois, 6-1. The Tigers (16-3-1) have allowed just nine goals in the past 18 contests, with 11 shutouts during that time.
Fuentes said the Mount Carmel game, in a way, was exactly what his team needed at this point of the season.
“When you play against those teams like a Mount Carmel with the tradition they have, a big time program, it gives you the perspective of where you need to be to measure up to them. That’s a perspective our girls took and realized, OK, we really need to step it up a notch. It’s what it took for us to wake up and take things no nonsense, back to business and finish strong. We want to be the final team standing, that’s the goal,” Fuentes said.
Soccer is in a great place at Hahnville these days. The boys soccer team also has earned a top five ranking in the state as they sat at No. 4 this week.
“(Hahnville boys soccer coach Matt Oubre) and I were talking … it is satisfying, and at the same time, because we’re now so high up there, the expectations are raised. It’s a different mindset. We can’t relax … we can’t just say we’re the underdog. We’ve got to show up and be ready for a fight. The standard – speed of play, our training, what we hold our players to – has to be higher,” Fuentes said.
But that challenge is one that his players have answered.
“And one thing I believe has helped – we’re No. 2 in power points, but in the coaches’ poll, we’re still down at 7, 8 … our girls take that personally,” Fuentes said. “It’s motivation to keep showing what we can do.”
Ashlyn DeSoto, coming off of a district offensive MVP season, is having another strong year as a dangerous striker for the Tigers. She recently scored her 50th career prep goal, a milestone that much more impressive given the fact she began her Hahnville career as a defender.
“She was our left defender, then moved into the midfield for us … she stepped up for us after (striker Addison Agnelly) was injured last season and she’s stepped in and done a tremendous job for us,” said Fuentes.
DeSoto and freshman Olivia Lendle have led the team in scoring this season.
“The chemistry we have as a team, our midfield has been clicking, we’ve been creating space and finding ways to create chances up top,” Fuentes said. “And Ashlyn and Olivia are two who really find ways to get it done. They don’t take no for an answer.”
Defensively, goalkeeper Adelyn Bersuder is having a tremendous junior year, while center-back Taylor Madere is among the team’s senior leaders.
“(Bersuder) has been big time, big time for us this season,” said Fuentes. “She has stepped up in every aspect. She communicates more. She’s saved our butts several times.
“Taylor Madere is fast, strong … if you see her, you wouldn’t think she’s as feisty as she is. But she’s tenacious. She’s one you want for sure on your team but would hate to play against her.”