By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

St. Charles fell to 1-6-1 over the weekend in the Hahnville Battle on the Bayou girls’ soccer tournament. But while the team did not find a win, it may have found a goalie.

The Comets fell twice on Saturday, 5-0 to Baton Rouge High and 3-1 to Comeaux, before tying C. L. Byrd on Sunday, 2-2.

But the teams’ play improved throughout the tournament, in large part due to the play of goalkeeper Kristen Carrier, earning her first playing time at the position in the team’s last two games.

“I feel like we found our goalie,” said St. Charles Coach Don Payton. “She was aggressive and made some plays, and that gives the girls more confidence in our defense. It shows in their play.”

Said Assistant Coach David Bordelon: “She was very aggressive, and saved some shots for us.”

In the team’s second game on Saturday, Comeaux’s Amber Breaux scored the game’s first goal and put her team ahead 1-0 at halftime.

Five minutes into the second half, St. Charles’ Reyna Lubin would tie the game at one after she freed herself to take a close range shot.

“I used my speed to get by the defender and finished the play,” Lubin said. “That’s what we’ve really been working on as a team, finishing at the goal.”

But two minutes later, Comeaux (2-1-2) answered when Makayla Prevost scored to give Comeaux a 2-1 lead.

With four minutes left in the game, Brooke Menard scored to give Comeaux a 3-1 win.

Still, Lubin felt her team made strides from that morning’s 5-0 loss to Baton Rouge (3-0-2) the afternoon game.

“We learned from our mistakes in the first game. We were more aggressive. I think that was the best we’ve played this year,” said Lubin.

Lubin would score two more goals Sunday morning as the team tied C. L. Byrd (1-2-2) in their final game of tournament pool play, 2-2.

Byrd led 1-0 at the half, and the team’s swapped goals in the second half.

Peyton says the team is rounding into form.

“They’re in rhythm now, having learned to play together,” said Peyton. “They have more confidence in our defense now, so they’re able to be more aggressive offensively. We can be more balanced now.”