Hannah Michael, a five-year member of Ursuline’s soccer team, will play in purple and white for Spring Hill College next year.  Hannah signed her athletic scholarship in St. Ursula Hall on April 3. She was joined by family, friends, teammates and Coach Winston Lewis for the occasion.

The soccer team entered the playoffs with an impressive 3 game winning streak in their final district games, beating Helen Cox twice, 4-0 and 7-0.  In the first game, Alex Thomas ’16 scored all 4 with assists from Hannah Sensenbrenner 13’, Jordan Nicholas ’16 and Angelie Diaz ’16. In the second game, UA won 7-0 with 5 goals from Thomas ’16 with assists from Hannah Michael ’12, Rachel Romero ’12 and Hannah Rote ’14.  Romero ’12 scored 1 with an assist from Thomas’16 and Michael ‘12 scored 1 with an assist from Rote ’14. In the match against AOL, UA wins 3-1 with 2 goals scored by Thomas’16 with 1 assist from Rote ’14 and 1 goal by Michael ’12 assisted by Yoselie Casteneda ’15.

2^nd Round Playoff Game vs. Morgan City - Field-good, Weather-chilly and windy
The game started on the blow of the whistle at 7:00pm, and, at 7:01, the Lions found themselves down 1-0 with a mid field and defensive breakdown.  The team was visibly nervous and their play was choppy.  About 10 minutes into the game, the UA Lions began to settle down and controlled the rest of the game.

Eighteen minutes in Shelby Schmitt ‘12 found Hannah Michael ’12 who finished with a chip over the goalie for the equalizer, 1-1.  In the 39^th minute, Alex Thomas ’16 was fouled at the 35 and placed free kick over the Morgan City wall and goalie to take a 2-1 lead.

Half time sent a fired up Lion Team ready to compete with a charge by Coach Winston. The girls answered in the 46^th minute with a pass by Jordan Nicholas ’16 to Alex Vicari ’13 who volleyed a bullet pass the goalie, 3-1 UA.  Morgan City’s left forward shot a “Hail Mary” that found the net in the 56^th minute.  The Lady Lions would not settle for a 3-2 game when in the 77^th minute Thomas ’16 drove the ball to the their box and slipped a pass to Michael ’12 who drilled one to the back of the net, 4-2 UA.  In the 78^th minute, Thomas ’16 went coast to coast with help from Taylor Compton ’14, who helped unscrambled a jam at the top of the box, finishes, 5-3 UA.

The defense played well led by Sensenbrenner ’13.  Romero ’12 played a crucial role containing Morgan City’s strongest player, and Madeline Berry ’13 completely shut down their center forward. The team felt the “POWER” and is on their way to Lafayette on Monday, February 13, to make a bid for STATE semi-finals!

Congratulations to Alex Thomas ’16 on being selected Athlete by the Times Picayune on Friday, February 3, 2012.

Our Ursuline Lion Soccer Team heads into the regional round of the LHSAA State Playoffs on Wednesday night at 7:00 pm . UA will host the visiting Morgan City Tigers at Pan American Stadium. Ursuline earned a first round bye by posting an overall record of 16 – 2 – 2. The Lions were 8 – 0 in district play. If you have never been to one of the UA soccer games this season, please try to make it to this one! The games are exciting and fun to watch. Please come out and wear your UA blue to cheer the girls on as they proudly represent Ursuline in the State Soccer Playoffs!!

On Saturday, January 24, the Lions of Ursuline played a non-district game against the Archbishop Hannan Hawks on the Northshore.  Before the game, Coach Kent Wells sent a request to Ursuline Coach, Winston Lewis.  He explained that one of his senior soccer players had broken her foot in the first game of the season back in November.  She was essentially out for the season.  Coach Wells asked if he could let his senior captain, Jessica Turner, take the first touch on kickoff and then they would simply kick it out of bounds.  This would allow her to play (at least) in her final game.   The kickoff plan went off without a hitch.  As the game progressed, UA went on to score twice and take a 2-0 lead.  Toward the end of the game, the UA players and coach decided to take this opportunity to show kindness to a fellow athlete.  Hannah Rote, a UA defensive player touched the ball with her hand(on purpose) which led to a penalty kick by Jessica Turner. With some assistance from UA goalie, Hannah Sensenbrenner, the shot was good of course and the final score 2-1.  Not only did Jessica get to start in her final game at Hannan, but she actually scored!  It is not often that we get to see kind acts of sportsmanship on the athletic field as we witnessed Saturday.  Jessica Turner was extremely grateful and later remarked that it was the “nicest thing anyone had ever done!”  Coach Wells called Ursuline to say thank you and compliment the UA players and Coach Lewis.

Non-District Game  vs. Catholic P.C.- Field-poor, Weather-very cold but clear (January 3)

In preparation for the second round of district play, the UA Lions played on January 3, 2012 against Catholic P.C.  This game ends in a 0-0 tie with UA undermanned and injury stricken. UA dominated but could not find the back of the net. At full force this contest is a clear blow out for the Lions.

Non-District Game vs. Belle Chase Academy – Field- fair, Weather – cool (January 5)

Still undermanned with injuries, UA dominates and beats Belle Chase Academy 2-0 with scores from Alex Vicari ’13 and Yoselie Catenada.  Coach Winston is optimistic at the play, intensity of his team, and their will to be playmakers.

District Game vs. East Jefferson - Field-good, Weather-pleasant and clear (January 17)

UA having clinched a playoff spot by going undefeated in the first round of district play, they opened round two with a 6-0 win over EJ.  The intensity between these two teams leaves each player exhausted after the battle.

Rachel Romero ’12 led the charge with four goals for the night.  She would not be denied and left her mark on the field as one of the team leaders.  Alex Vicari ’13 scores a beautiful one touch shot for the Lions off of a cross from Alex Thomas ’16. Hannah Rote ’14 scores one off of a penalty shot from 25 yards out.  Hannah Michael ’12 with an injured ankle played like a Viking, assisting one of Romero’s ’12 goals. Michaels’ ’12 continued to disrupt and force turnovers for the UA team to continue dominating play of the game. Alex Thomas ’16’ had two assists, Jordan Nicholson ’16 and Vicari ’13 each had one assist.

Non-District Game vs. St. Martin’s Episcopal - Field-great, Weather-pleasant and clear (January 19)

The UA Lions went into this match ready to play with the players at moderate health.  In the 38^th minute Hannah Rote ’14 delivers a corner kick to Rachel Romero ’12, who finishes with a bullet to the back of the net, 1-0 UA.

At the half, Coach Winston urged the ladies that this team would not lie down and give them an easy win. He was correct, in the 52^nd minute off of a direct kick, St. Martin’s scores to equalize.  Coach Winston issues a charge to Alex Thomas ’16 to drive the ball down the field to take this game and she finds Alex Vicari ’13 with a cross to the center of the box and she nails in the winning goal, UA 2-1.

UA dominates the rest of play and secures the victory.

Non-District Game vs. Archbishop Hannan - Field-good, Weather-pleasant and clear (January 21)

This contest was a great game to watch.  The UA Lions represented their school parents and selves well.  Early in the first half, Alex Thomas ’16 traps a ball that the Hannan defense cleared from their box and finished 1-0.  The half ends w1-0 but the score doesn’t reflect the dominant play of the girls. The were running routs and passing so well that the Saints football team should have been there to take notes.

In the 78^th minute, Thomas ’16 dribbles from the UA defense through to the goal and finishes 2-0.  In the 79^th minute, Hannan gets a penalty kick, Hanna Rote ’14 bends over and delivers a hand ball in the box to allow a injured senior from Hannan’s team the chance to score her only goal in her senior year.  Jessica Turner broke her ankle and will not play at all for this year. Hannah Sensenbrenner ’13 made a theatrical dive and miss allowing Jessica to score.  Jessica cried and hugged Sensenbrenner ’13 to thank her for making her senior year special. Please read the email the coach sent:

Winston,

On behalf of Jessica Turner and the entire Hannan soccer team, we would like express our appreciation for your tremendous gesture of sportsmanship on Saturday.

Jessica was thrilled with the opportunity and her teammates and our fans were touched by your team’s generosity.

Please let the girls know how much we appreciated it.

Jerry Kennedy

Archbishop Hannan High School

Congratulations ladies for your great example of Serviam!

Ursuline Soccer defeated East Jefferson on Tuesday by a score of 6-0.  Way to go Lions!

Field-Poor, Weather-Windy and Chilly

In a 5-2 victory against AOL on Tuesday, the UA Lions maintains their undefeated status. Currently the district front-runner, UA played with intensity and precision up top.  In the early minutes of the game, Hannah Rote (’14) drives a free kick on frame; Alex Thomas (’16) finishes with a one-touch volley.  The game is very physical and UA is being hammered, but the team played with resilience and maintained Lion Pride in their play and disposition.  The second goal was scored with an amazing pass from Hannah Michael (’12) to Jordan Nicholson (’16) who chipped the ball over the goalie’s head, 2-0 UA.  The crowd roared with excitement as everyone cheered Nicholson (’16) for this amazing goal.

In the second half, Thomas (’16) traps a loose ball and strikes from outside the box and scores goal 3.  Rachel Romero (’12) and Michael (’12) through a series of combination passes, breaks down the AOL defense with Romero (’12) scoring goal 4 from a beautifully played pass from Michael (’12).  Near the final minute, Thomas (’16) as directed by Coach Winston, drove a ball from the UA defense to finish of the game with goal 5.

AOL did score two goals, but UA was in control of the game from the beginning whistle.

Thanks to fans and administrators for traveling and supporting the ladies.

Record: 10-0-1  District: 3-0

Please note the schedule change for varsity soccer.  The games originally scheduled for Dec. 17 have been rescheduled due to exams.  The soccer team will travel to Alexandria on Jan.14 to play Menard and Neville.

Field – fair  Weather – cold

UA met Country Day High School on December 8, and UA had a tough battle from the opening whistle.  Country Day was dominating the mid field and UA managed to keep shots out of their net with 10 amazing stops by goalie, Hannah Sensenbrenner (’13).

The 1-0 victory goes to Coach Winston who started to strategize to keep UA alive in this match.  He dropped his most experienced players back to defense to lock down the first half without any score.  Coach Winston started the 2^nd half off with the same defensive line up.  He was clearly mapping out his game plan when in the 63^rd minute he yells to Alex Thomas (’16) to take the ball up from defense and attack. She drives the ball to Country Day’s goal when all four defenders converge she slips a pass across the net to Hannah Rote (’14) who blasts a shot into the back of the net, 1-0 UA.

Coach Winston continues to play a defensive game holding on to his 1-0 game for the win.  The victory of the day is awarded to the coach and the ladies for scrapping until the end even though it was not one of their best matches. Great coaching and a lot of heart is where the credit is given for winning this match.

Thanks to all students, family, faculty, administration and friends for supporting the ladies in this tough match.  Every word of encouragement and cheer of support is helpful in capturing success.