Like old times: Saints look to add to storied success with another state championship

Published 11:43 am Thursday, February 26, 2026

Today could mark the start of a new era for the St. Louis Catholic boys soccer team.

For the first time in almost a decade, the storied program will play for a state championship. No. 3 St. Louis (19-5) faces No. 1 and defending champion University Lab (19-3-2) at 7:30 p.m. for the Division III state championship at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond.

“We definitely have the work ethic in the program to make it happen, from the parents and the players, and the coaches, too, of course,” St. Louis head coach Zach Malik said. “I’d love to see it through. I think this community is begging for it.”

Nearly 30 years ago, the Saints became the first Southwest Louisiana team to play for a soccer state championship and win it in 1997, followed by another title in 1998. That marked the beginning of one of the most dominant two decades in the state as the Saints won 13 state titles. They won five titles in six years from 2002 to 2006, including their first three-peat, plus an undefeated season (31-0-2) in 2006. St. Louis became the state’s first team to four-peat with titles from 2010 to 2013, followed by a second three-peat from 2015 to 2017.

The Saints have drawn on that history as they prepared for today’s game. Several former players have talked to the Saints throughout the season, including 2017 goalkeeper Luke Gaskin and current assistant coach Alexander Stroh, who scored the winning penalty kick in 2015.

“We’ve had some of the alumni around the program in the last couple of weeks,” Malik said. “It’s pretty interesting to see how strong the support is, even from guys that graduated nine years ago, 10 years ago, 15 years ago.

“We had some guys around the program, even this week, that were a part of that last championship run. They just kind of talked to the boys about their experiences. I think it’s invaluable to the guys to hear kind of how they approach big games. It’s just overwhelming, the support.”

The Cubs will play in their third consecutive state championship. They average nearly four goals a game, led by Sie Parker (29 goals, 10 assists), and have allowed 12 goals in 24 games.

“They are a well-coached, physical, aggressive, athletic, confident team,” Malik said. “I think they’re the type of team you have to match up in all areas with them because they’re very, very strong.

“They win their duels really well, whether it be in the air or on the ground. I think their set pieces are really deliberate and well planned, and their boys attack the ball every single play.”

In four postseason games, the Saints experienced blowouts, scoring 14 goals in the first two rounds, and battled back from deficits in the last two games, including six unanswered goals to beat No. 2 Loyola Prep in the semifinals. Malik said those varied experiences will help the Saints.

“I think it makes us more well-rounded,” Malik said. “You’ve got teams playing all these different styles.

“You face all these different things in these playoff games that you wouldn’t expect. I think just being ready for anything, I think that’s really the story of the playoff.”

St. Louis has outscored opponents 23-3 in the playoffs. Six players have at least two goals, led by Tucker Williams (6 goals) and Griffin Hanks (5 goals). Goalkeeper Nick Jackson has allowed five goals in his last 11 games.

It will be the sixth postseason meeting, and first since the Saints beat the Cubs 3-0 in the 2016 semifinals.