ALEXANDRIA �” Iberia Soccer Association’s fledgling Division 1 program can take a bow after this past weekend’s Sweep the Swamp 2009 tournament at the Johnny Downs Soccer Complex and the O’Hearn Mathew’s Soccer Complex.

Two of the ISA’s five teams entered in the annual Crossroads Soccer Association tournament reached the championship round of the highly competitive tournament and two other ISA teams won at least two matches each in pool play on a wet Saturday and Sunday.

The U12 Rebels, a boys’ team coached by Glen Gary, reached the finals after defeating the NELSA Lightning, 2-1, smacking the LFC Beast, 5-1, and tying CSC United, 2-2. The Rebels bowed in a nailbiter of a title tilt, 3-2, to the SCHAS Tornados.

Advertisement

The U11 Kajun Kickers, a boys’ team coached by Angela Louviere, also roared into the championship match beating Crossroads Pride, 6-3, Crossroads Nachman Knights, 6-0, and the NELSA Blitz, 3-0. However, in the finals, Crossroads Pride avenged its earlier loss and beat the Kajun Kickers, 4-2.

Two other ISA D1 boys team enjoyed a winning weekend in Alexandria.

The U14 Devil Dogs, coached by Barron Kennedy and Chris Leeson, bombed the NYSA Raptors, 9-1, tied 0-0 with the CABOSA United Storm, and topped the NELSA United, 4-2.

The U13 Swamp Cats, coached by Vince Comeaux, first bopped the CSC Fury White, 1-0, then lost to the Crossroads Pride, 6-1, and defeated the BUSA Dynamos, 2-1.

Also on hand was the ISA’s U12 Eliminators, a girls’ team coached Chancy Crochet. The Eliminators showed their competitiveness and improved play while going 0-2-1.

ISA president Dave Cavalier said the ISA’s D1 program is in its first year and these teams are representing the local association in impressive fashion.

“I think as a group, this weekend is the best our club has ever done. The results show that all of the hard work these players and coaches have been putting in is beginning to pay off with victories,” said Cavalier.

“I always believed if our club’s best players could train and play together year-round, you would begin to see us really make some noise against the other clubs around the state. I think this weekend shows we’re on the way to doing that.”