Philp sets record in Vandebilt's playoff opener

Wed. February 08, 2012 at 12:19 p.m. | By Keyon Jeff/Sports Correspondent

Vandebilt Catholic's Carly Ellender (left) and Shannon Matzke (12) go for the ball against St. Michael's Kelli Albert during Tuesday's Division II regional playoff match at Buddy Marcello Stadium in Houma. (Photo by Julia Rendleman/Staff)

During Vandebilt Catholic's bye week in the Division II girls soccer playoffs, Lady Terriers coach Philip Amedee stressed to his team to always follow up on their initial shots.

The message clearly sunk in as top-seeded Vandebilt routed No. 16 St. Michael 6-1 in the regional-round matchup on Tuesday night in Buddy Marcello Stadium.

"I thought it would be critical that we follow up on our crosses in case the keeper puts the ball on the ground,"Amedee said. "That was the theme we want to work on this week: following up and finishing on balls bouncing around the box."

Senior Meghan Philp led the Lady Terriers with three goals, which now makes her the school's all-time leader in goals scored with 153.

"It feels amazing to have the record, but I got a lot of help from my teammates," Philp said. "I wouldn't be able to break this record without them."

Vandebilt dominated possession of the ball, outshooting St. Michael 33-5 with 15 shots in goal to the Lady Warriors' four. The Lady Terriers defense suffocated St. Michael, not allowing a shot until 52 minutes into the contest.

"We played with playoff intensity, which was necessary," Amedee said. "We played some good tactical soccer. The girls executed really well. They scored some quality goals and defended really well."

Vandebilt got on the scoreboard in the 12th minute. Whitney Champagne redirected a throw-in pass in front of the net for a 1-0 lead.

Two minutes later, Philp scored her first goal when she pooched the ball from 10 yards out over the head of Lady Warrior goalie Jessica Wright (seven saves).

In the 29th minute, Makelle Pena took a pass from Kimberly Grasso, hesitated for a moment before turning and firing a 15-yard shot past Wright to give Vandebilt a 3-0 halftime lead.

"Our hope was to shut down (Vandebilt's) wing play. Unfortunately, they have a lot of girls that are talented and were able to take advantage of us," St. Michael coach Anthony Neeson said. "We were playing more of a defensive mindset and looking to get our opportunities on counters. It wasn't that we played poorly; they were just a better team."

With the game seemingly in hand, the Lady Terriers were eager for Philp to set the new goals scored mark in front of the home crowd in the second half.

In the 42nd minute, Philp took a 30-yard cross near midfield and headed the ball pass Wright for a 4-0 lead.

In the 46th minute, Philp almost broke the record on a 40-yard blast, but the ball bounced off the goalpost. However, heeding Amedee's weeklong preparation, Grasso followed up the ricochet and put the ball in the back of the net for a 5-0 advantage.

Finally in the 50th minute, Grasso dribbled the ball into the penalty box. She placed an easy cross to a streaking Philp who booted the ball around Wright for the record-breaking goal. The crowd exploded in applause for the new all-time scoring leader.

"Everybody was chanting my name. The only thing I was thinking was how sweet it was," Philp reflected. "I missed the first shot (at breaking the record), but I was really glad that Kim made it. After that when Kim actually assisted on the (goal) for breaking the record that just made it even better. It feels awesome. I can't really believe it."

St. Michael (7-14-2) scored its lone goal in the 53rd minute when Keely Senical booted a 40-yard shot over the head of Vandebilt goalie Haley Billiot (three saves).

More important to Amedee then the goals scored or Philp's record was the passion in which the Lady Terriers played the game. It was the kind of playoff intensity Vandebilt will need to make a run at another state championship.

"We're going to need all of that to beat our next opponent," Amedee said. "We play one game at a time now. We have to take momentum we got from this game and carry it on."

The Lady Terriers will travel to face Lutcher in the Division II quarterfinals. The time and date has not been set as of deadline.

DIVISION I REGIONALS

NO. 2 ST. SCHOLASTICA 11, NO. 15 TERREBONNE 0 (GIRLS)

At Covington, the Lady Tigers trailed 6-0 at halftime and ended their season at 19-2 overall.

"We played 0-0 about 20 minutes in," Terrebonne coach Ray LeCompte said. "St. Scholastica is a solid team. They weren't ranked No. 2 just because. SSA was on its game. They couldn't do anything wrong. If they continue that momentum, they are going to be unbeatable. They broke through, and we deflated a little, but the girls accomplished their goals this season. It was a very successful season."