(Clarification: This story has been edited since its first publication to reflect how the Louisiana Athletic Association recorded the 2016 District champions.)

Gauthier leads boys team 

RESERVE — When the Riverside Academy soccer team lost to its rival St. Charles Catholic on Jan. 30, everyone in attendance believed the Rebels had fallen short of a hoped-for milestone.

The 2015 season had been the best in school history.

Until 2015, Riverside had never hosted nor won a playoff game. That fall, they did both. This year’s goal was to win a district championship, which would be another first for the Rebels.

Going into the game against the Comets, Riverside was 5-0 in District 6-IV play and already had one win against them — the first in school history. The Comets were 4-1.

After taking the 2-1 win that day, it was the Comets who celebrated as district champs over the Rebels.

For St. Charles, that was not the first district championship in history, just the first since the 2008 season.

Under the direction of Coach Jonathan Reed, the Rebels have reached unprecedented heights. Reed is L’OBSERVATEUR’s All-St. John Parish Boys Coach of the Year.

Of course it helped that Reed had great talent to work with. Among his senior players was forward Tyler Gauthier, who finished his prolific career with 91 goals, including 24 his final season. Gauthier is the Boys Soccer Player of the Year.

Another 10 outstanding players have been selected to this year’s All-St. John Parish Boys Soccer team. They are:

Lino Barrera, East St. John, Sr. — Named to the All-District 5-II first team, Barrera was an outstanding center fullback who finished with three goals and four assists.

JaJuan Bell, Riverside, Sr. — A solid defender with speed, the coaches selected him their All-District 6-IV defensive MVP.

Lamy Guidry, St. Charles, Sr. — Coach Sean LeBlanc says Guidry, a middle defender, is “the ultimate team player.”

Daniel Jaubert, St. Charles, Sr. — A middle defender, Jaubert is a skilled ball-mover. He scored one of two goals in the win against Riverside.

Evan Kenney, Riverside, Sr. — The Rebels’ goalkeeper allowed 13 goals all season and posted five shutouts.

Brandon Lemoine, St. Charles, Jr. — A middle defender, Lemoine is one of the toughest Comets.

Aldo Reyes, East St. John, So. — In his first season playing for the Wildcats, Reyes scored 17 goals and was the coaches’ selection as the All-District 5-II Offensive MVP.

Andrew Rodrigue, St. Charles, Jr. — A forward, he scored the second of two goals in the win against Riverside.

Ryan Roussel, Riverside, Sr. — A midfielder, Roussel scored 12 goals this season.

Matthew Templet, St. Charles, Jr. — Was the coaches’ selection as the All-District goalkeeper. He posted five shutout wins.

Duhon, Deger earn soccer honors after stellar season 

RESERVE — Before 2011, the Riverside Academy Lady Rebels had never won a district championship. Before 2010 they had never won a district game.

In 2016 the Riverside team won its second district title, along with five district games. There were no losses, only one tie — to arch-rival St. Charles Catholic. The Lady Rebels then advanced to the second round of the Division IV playoffs to finish 13-4-3.

Mert Deger, who took over the team in 2013, may not have started the Rebels’ climb, but he is taking them to new heights. Deger has been selected L’OBSERVATEUR’s All-St. John Parish Girls Soccer Coach of the Year.

One of the players helping the Rebels on their ascent is junior midfielder Madison Duhon. The district coaches’ selection as overall MVP, Duhon finished the season with 23 goals and 17 assists.

She has been selected L’OBSERVATEUR’s Girls Soccer Player of the Year.

Rounding out the rest of the team are:

Taylor Aubert, Riverside, Jr. — A forward, Aubert scored 27 goals and had nine assists.

The District 6-IV coaches selected her as the All-District Offensive MVP.

Shyanne Badeaux, Riverside, So. — A midfielder, Badeaux was a first-team All-District 6-IV selection with eight goals and 12 assists.

Nichole Dardinger, East St. John, Fr. — Along with teammate Giles, led the Wildcats in goals scored.

Regan Duffourc, St. Charles, So.  —  A forward, Duffourc scored 21 goals this season for the Comets.

Arlissia Giles, East St. John, Sr. — She was one of the Wildcats leading scorers this season.

Alexis Keys, St. Charles, So. — The Comets’ goalkeeper posted six shutouts  and was the coaches’ selection as All-District goalkeeper.

Lindsey Oubre, Riverside, Jr. — After coming back from knee surgery in 2014, Oubre had a stellar season as a defender. She broke her leg during softball practice just before the Rebels’ second playoff game.

Toni Perrin, Riverside, Jr. —  Perrin scored 10 goals and had 14 assists and even helped out at goalkeeper on occasion.

Destiny Romious, St. Charles, Fr. — A midfielder, Romious scored 10 goals as a freshman.

Eden Simoneaux, St. Charles Catholic, Fr. — A first-team All-District selection, Simoneaux scored five goals this season.