By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

MATHEWS — St. Charles’ girls soccer team fell 2-0 in its opener Thursday night at Central Lafourche.

The Tarpons scored two goals within the first 10 minutes of the second half to take control of the game.

“I thought we played well for the most part,” said St. Charles coach Don Peyton. “We’ve had just one practice with all of our girls, and we still have a few out with swimming and the other sports. But given that, I thought they played pretty well together. They were fighting out there.”

A young, injury-riddled St. Charles team struggled last season, but the Comets have reloaded. The Comets have nine seniors returning. That includes forwards Laura Hane and Jalynn Johnson, who provide scoring punch, defender Hannah Guidry, and goalkeeper Shelby Schneider, who was injured for much of last season.

“It’s a big difference this year,” said Peyton. “These kids have been through it before, dealt with the tough times. They’ve been working together, had a good camp up at Northwestern. They know they’ve got a shot. There’s a realization that we’ve got a chance to go somewhere this year.”

St. Charles will take part in the Central Lafourche tournament today and tomorrow.

“It should be a good measuring stick for us,” said Peyton.