By James Joseph
WSL Senior Features Writer

Loyola-Shreveport head coach Mike DeVita didn’t take very long to realize junior attackman J.T. Terzia had made huge strides in the months leading up to the 2009 season.

“J.T. was an average player his sophomore year,” DeVita said. “(But) he put in tireless work effort over the summer and had the stick in his hand every day. The first practice we had this year, it was apparent he had taken a giant leap forward.”

Terzia’s play during the 2009 campaign underscored his transformation into an elite, game-breaking player. He scored 25 goals and had 12 assists, as Loyola won its final 10 games en route to the first Louisiana state championship.

“J.T. was an integral part of this year’s team,” DeVita said. “He was able to score goals in critical situations where our team was against the wall. His ability to finish around the net was exactly what our team needed this year, and he excelled when the game was on the line.”

Indeed, Terzia was at his best when it mattered most. In the state final against New Orleans Jesuit, he scored a season-high five goals, including three in the opening 18 minutes, to lead Loyola to a 10-3 triumph.

“His explosion during the state title game was no surprise to me,” DeVita said. “He had been a consistent player all year, and when it counts, J.T. is the man I want with the ball.

“Loyola has not had many big games in the past few seasons, so it was good to see J.T. step up like he had been there before.”

Terzia was at his best around the crease, where he could use his field sense and instincts. DeVita credited Terzia’s off-ball movement for putting him in positions to score.

The scary question for those Louisiana teams hoping to knock off Loyola in 2010 – will Terzia make a leap between his junior and senior seasons like he did between his sophomore and junior seasons?

“His senior season should be special,” DeVita said.