Morgan City Tigers place second at Copa Cup

The Morgan City High School Tigers recorded a second place finish at the Copa Cup soccer tournament this weekend.
The Tigers, who were competing in the Gold division, fell in the finals to Episcopal School of Acadiana, ranked No. 5 in Division III by the Louisiana Soccer Coaches Association, 3-1 via penalty kicks.
Morgan City and Episcopal School of Acadiana had played to a 0-0 draw after 50 minutes of action, forcing the penalty kicks.
“Even though we were runner up, this is the furthest the boys’ team has ever gone in a tournament, so it was a great experience and recognition for them,” Morgan City soccer coach Trevor Patterson said.
Morgan City advanced to the finals after defeating Westminster Christian, the No. 9 ranked in Division III, 4-2 in the semifinals.
Morgan City scored three goals in the first half and another in the second. Morgan City’s goals came from Brayan Aleman, Miguel Perez and two goals by Irving Delgado.
The game, ironically, was a rematch of last year’s semifinals where Westminster defeated the Tigers.
Earlier in the tournament in bracket play, Morgan City defeated Catholic-Pointe Coupee 6-0.
The Tigers got goals from Aleman, Carlos Calderon, Perez, Robert Prejeant and two by Delgado.
In Morgan City’s second game against Leesville, ranked No. 9 in Division II, Patterson said the Tigers began the game slow and Leesville showed they had the edge by scoring two goals in the first half.
In the second half, Morgan City responded with two goals by Delgado to tie the game where it ended at 2-2.
“We regrouped for the second half and made a formation change, plus the boys were hungry to come back,” Patterson said.
In the final game of bracket play, Morgan City defeated North Vermilion 2-0. The Tigers’ Calderon and Wilmer Lopez each scored goals for Morgan City.
Morgan City wins twice
The Morgan City Lady Tigers finished 2-1 in Gold division play at the Copa Cup soccer tournament this weekend.
Morgan City dropped its opener to eventual tournament champion Leesville, 7-0.
“It was our first game and disappointing knowing the week before we played and tied them 0-0,” Patterson said.
In the next two games, the Lady Tigers were victorious, defeating Catholic-Pointe Coupee and Opelousas by scores of 4-1 and 1-0, respectively.
Sarah Patterson and Paige Comeaux had two goals apiece in the win against Catholic-Pointe Coupee, while Comeaux had the Lady Tigers’ goal against Opelousas. The duo assisted each other on all of these goals.
“We moved Comeaux up from defense to help in the attack, and it has been paying off,” Coach Patterson said. “She is fast and can pass so that helped.”
The Morgan City Tigers and Lady Tigers (2-5-2) will return to action today when they face Beau Chene at home.
The Beau Chene boys’ team is ranked No. 1 in the latest Division II soccer poll, while Morgan City (5-1-1) received 53 votes, good enough for one spot out of the top 10.