Ron Brocato: Crusaders Take No. 2 Seed into Soccer Playoffs

By Ron Brocato

Much improved under the guidance of Coach Matt Millet, the Brother Martin Crusaders enter the LHSAA Division I state soccer playoffs in a strong position to challenge for a berth in the championship round.

Millet’s squad, seeded No. 2 based on its power ranking acquired through a 18-3-1 season, will host the division’s No. 31 seed Live Oak in a 7 p.m. match at Lafreniere Park on Friday, Feb. 6. Live Oak takes an 8-8-5 record into the first round match.

If the Crusaders are victorious, they will host the winner of the Acadiana-Lafayette High match on or about Feb. 12. Acadiana is the No. 15 seed, and Lafayette is seeded No. 18.

Brother Martin is not looking past the opening match, but as they prepare for the playoffs, the Crusaders have No. 1 Jesuit in their crosshairs following the regular season finale on Feb. 2, a match they lost, 4-2, after playing even with the Blue Jays through the first half, tied at 2-2.

Through the chilled air, the Crusaders led their unbeaten, but twice-tied rival on two occasions during the highly competitive half, 1-0 and 2-1, on goals by Hudson Cammarata and Kaden Rossi, both juniors. Their tallies were Brother Martin’s first against the No. 1 seed in four years. That was achieved in a district match in 2022.

Millet, who gained his reputation as a builder of champions over a 10-year stint at Holy Cross with five state titles in Division II, before joining the Brother Martin faculty in 2024, has transformed the Crusaders’ soccer program in the short period of two seasons.

And, while the team members may have a possible Feb. 28 championship match against their archrival on their minds, the Crusaders have four playoff rounds through which to navigate to get to that point. Millet is cautious, but so far, he’s led the program on the path to attain a long-awaited third state soccer title.