Loyola soccer thwarts curse, prepares to make history
By: Lance Snow
Updated: February 14, 2013
SHREVEPORT, LA - For the first time since 2004, the Loyola girls soccer team is back in the semifinals of the Louisiana state girls soccer tournament.
The Flyers' program made four consecutive trips to the state semifinals between 2001-2004, losing in all four appearances and never earning the chance to play in the state championship game.
2013's version of the Loyola Flyer girls soccer team will have the chance to make history, by becoming the first team in program history to earn a spot in the state title game. The girls will have to beat Catholic New Iberia on Friday, Feb. 15th in the semifinal round to advance to the state championship game.
First year head coach Mark Matlock guides a young, talented squad built on youth. Loyola features seven sophomores, one junior, and one senior starter.
Seniors Caroline Simms, Marie Ann Allen, Alex Cunningham, Grace McGill, Gabby Cox, and Shelby Adams have paved the way for the upcoming Flyers. The seniors suffered through three consecutive losses in the quarterfinals, before breaking through with a 3-0 win over Runnels to advance to the semifinals in their final year.
Coach Matlock could relate to their struggles.
The first year coach spent time as the head coach at Captain Shreve and Caddo Magnet, but never advanced past the quarterfinal round until 2013.
Loyola carries a 28-3 record into their semifinal matchup. The Flyers were 8-0 in District 1 play. They've racked up 128 goals and allowed only 18.
All three of their losses were to top 10, division one schools Mandeville, St. Thomas More, and Northshore.
The Flyers' program made four consecutive trips to the state semifinals between 2001-2004, losing in all four appearances and never earning the chance to play in the state championship game.
2013's version of the Loyola Flyer girls soccer team will have the chance to make history, by becoming the first team in program history to earn a spot in the state title game. The girls will have to beat Catholic New Iberia on Friday, Feb. 15th in the semifinal round to advance to the state championship game.
First year head coach Mark Matlock guides a young, talented squad built on youth. Loyola features seven sophomores, one junior, and one senior starter.
Seniors Caroline Simms, Marie Ann Allen, Alex Cunningham, Grace McGill, Gabby Cox, and Shelby Adams have paved the way for the upcoming Flyers. The seniors suffered through three consecutive losses in the quarterfinals, before breaking through with a 3-0 win over Runnels to advance to the semifinals in their final year.
Coach Matlock could relate to their struggles.
The first year coach spent time as the head coach at Captain Shreve and Caddo Magnet, but never advanced past the quarterfinal round until 2013.
Loyola carries a 28-3 record into their semifinal matchup. The Flyers were 8-0 in District 1 play. They've racked up 128 goals and allowed only 18.
All three of their losses were to top 10, division one schools Mandeville, St. Thomas More, and Northshore.
