A local travel soccer team is among the best of the best in the United States, qualifying for Nationals.
The Blackhawks U17 girls made it to Nationals, placing 2nd at Regionals to earn their spot in the field.
To make it to Nationals is an unbelievable feat. There are more than 55 State Associations competing under U.S. Youth Soccer with close to 300 teams in the U17 division.
Just 8 total teams make it to Nationals with the Blackhawks being one of them.
It is the first time a Blackhawks team makes it to Nationals.
“As a coach, this is the kind of moment you dream about – coaching a group tough enough, resilient enough and talented enough to reach this level,” coach Clay Duplantis said.
At Regionals, the local girls strutted their stuff and showed that they can hang with the best. The U17 girls are comprised of high school players from all around the Bayou Region, including several All-District and All-State players.
Duplantis said his team is a local All-Star team, yes. But the girls are not entitled, work hard and earn everything they get.
“Make no mistake: These girls have bite,” he said. “They are fierce competitors who don’t back down, no matter the situation. They earned every minute of their success through hard-nosed, physical and intelligent play.”
Duplantis said the strength of his team is its resiliency. The team lost a couple players with injury and had to overcome adversity throughout the highly competitive event, including the loss of Presley LeCompte, the team captain, who broke her collarbone in the second match of Regionals.
Duplantis said he was not sure how his team would respond without its captain, but the team soared.
”The team rallied around her,” he said. “Other players stepped up without hesitation. That kind of response – that willingness to take ownership in a pressure moment – is rare. That’s a championship mindset.”
Duplantis said he and the team are grateful for all of the support they have received since qualifying for Nationals and there is ways for the community to help the team.
They are fundraising to help cover travel, lodging and tournament costs for the team.
If anyone wants to help, they have setup a GoFundMe and also are accepting other methods of donations.
To reach out, contact the Bayou Soccer Club Facebook page or contact them directly at bayousoccerpresident@gmail.com.
See the list of players on the team below:
Blackhawks U17 Roster:
1. Grace Adams, Vandebilt
2. Jenna Allemand, E.D. White
3. Grace Barker, Central Lafourche
4. Brynn Defelice, H.L. Bourgeois
5. Sophie Douglas, E.D. White
6. Addison Gravier, E.D. White
7. Carlie Hartman, E.D. White
8. Presley LeCompte, Vandebilt
9. Julia Magee, Vandebilt
10. Kate Magee, Vandebilt
11. Grace Magee, Vandebilt
12. Alivia Martin, Central Lafourche
13. Julia Passman, E.D. White
14. Ashlie Prosperie, Terrebonne
15. Kadence Robinson, Central Lafourche
16. Genesis Solis, Houma Christian
17. Claire Toups, E.D. White
18. Macee Wright, Vandebilt
19. Chloe Douglas, E.D. White
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Clay Duplantis, Head Coach
Holly Moran, Assistant Coach
Kylie Martin, Manager