Cats Win Second Game of the Week Over the Eagles
On Wednesday, the Saint Ignatius Wildcats took on the St. Edward Eagles, one of the most important games of their season so far.
The Cats faced a struggling Eagles team, entering with a record of 0-1-2 with a -5 goal differential.
With a solid atmosphere with the circumstances, both lineups ready and hyped up for the rivalry match, everyone was ready for the match to commence.
The beginning of the match set the tone for the remainder of the match, a lot of physicality and showcases of strength all over. Both squads got a couple chances here and there, but it was not an attacking masterclass by any means.
About midway through the first half, the Wildcats struck for the only goal of the match. After some solid one-touch passes, the Wildcat midfield eventually laid the ball off to sophomore striker Zsombor Onodi, who dribbled through the Eagles defense and poked it past senior goalkeeper Zoltan Nagy to make it 1-0 Wildcats.
The rest of the match was mainly a war of attrition in the middle of the park; a lot of fouls, aggressive plays, and exchanges in possession, with a few solid attacking chances from the Wildcats.
After a long and physical game, the official finally blew his whistle for the end of the match; the Wildcats were then 2-0 on the week, with one more match to play against St. John’s Jesuit from Toledo in Sandusky.
Cats Score Four to Keep Undefeated Season Alive
On Friday, the Wildcats faced off against St. John’s Jesuit from Toledo, a team that has had a stellar start to the season so far, with just one loss on their record. The Wildcats looked to change that, however, going into their third and final match of the week.
Unlike on Wednesday, this match featured a good bundle of goals within the afternoon.
Early into the match, the Wildcats struck first off of a set piece. Sophomore Nathan Trickett crossed in a ball to senior captain Niko Basic, who hit an awkward (and quite cheeky) header, sandwiching the ball between the goalkeeper’s hand and the top of the netting. A solid finish brought the Wildcats ahead early, helping them gain some momentum down the line.
Just a few minutes later, the Wildcats once again struck with yet another goal. Nathan Trickett laid it off to his fellow sophomore Nolan Spicer who had a quality finish for a 2-0 lead.
Not long after, St. John’s Jesuit struck back with a goal, an unfortunate deflection after a failed clearance from the Wildcats back line led to a very nice chance and a clinical finish to bring St. John back into the match. The Wildcats still held a 2-1 lead.
A longer stretch without a goal ensued, but was quickly ended after Zsombor Onodi had a nice through ball slotted in to him by Marko Rimac. Onodi stayed composed in front of the net and finished without much interference.
Finally, just moments after that, Nolan Spicer knocked the ball to Nathan Trickett at the edge of the 18-yard box, who took a nice cut inside and hit an absolutely beautiful finesse shot to the left of the penalty spot and tucked in nicely under the arm of the keeper into the right side of the netting. The Wildcats took a very comfortable 4-1 lead at the half.
The second half did not have the same level of excitement, unfortunately, but the Wildcats still finished the day with a 4-1 win, and capped off their three-game week undefeated, now 5-0-0 on the season.
The Wildcats still have a long way to go however; as they will have another three-game stretch this week.
9/22 vs. University School
9/24 vs. Walsh Jesuit @ Walsh Jesuit
9/26 vs. Toledo St. Francis