By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

The East St. John boys soccer team began its season on a positive note last week, tackling Lutcher 4-0.

DeChris Strong led the way with a pair of goals for ESJ (1-0). Thaddeus Knight and Leroy Noble each added a score for the Wildcats.

“We benefited from a speed advantage, and also the fact that we have more depth than in the past,” said East St. John coach Paul Dupuy. “Lutcher is seeing its program grow and they have some pretty good skill people, but we were able to do some things.”

Dupuy said that the first game went about as he expected, with his team showing its ability at times but needing to tighten things up at others.

“We weren’t quite as organized as I’d like to this point, and we were a little out of shape,” said Dupuy. “Getting our football guys in, you’re looking to translate those football skills to soccer skills, and conditioning, as soon as possible.

“We can be a solid team down the road, but we need to put some work in.”

The Wildcats defeated St. Charles 2-0 in a preseason scrimmage as well last week.

Lutcher dropped to 0-2 with the loss.