Twinsburg strikes early in the second half and the Wildcats answer with the tying goal with slightly more than seven minutes remaining to be played.

Saint Ignatius, ranked No. 1 in the coaches' state poll, now stands at 10-0-2 on the season and the state's seventh-ranked Tigers are 9-0-2.

By Eddie Dwyer, Copyright September 2012

After his team experienced its second tie in just over a week, Saint Ignatius’ outstanding head soccer coach Mike McLaughlin ’85 said the regular season is played to reveal your character.

No one even vaguely familiar with Ohio high school soccer can question the integrity, reputation or grit the record five-time Division I state champion Wildcats and their coaches bring to the field.

And late Thursday night, another area team raised its level of character after playing the nationally recognized ‘Cats to a 1-1 tie on Wasmer Field.

The Twinsburg Tigers, who prior to Thursday were 0-3 in games against Saint Ignatius, showed the spirited crowd of adults and students that they deserved their rankings of seventh in Ohio and second in the area by the coaches associations.

“They did what they came here to do and that’s a credit to them,” said Coach McLaughlin, whose team is ranked No. 1 in both the area and state polls. “They defended well.”

In a match that saw both teams display will-testing defenses, the Wildcats walked off their home field at 10-0-2 and Coach Mike Lally’s Tigers headed back to Twinsburg at 9-0-2.

After a scoreless first half that featured some outstanding leaping and diving saves by Tigers senior goalie Frank Candau and a goal by Wildcats gifted senior midfielder and Co-Captain Ty Sanda that was wiped out by an off-sides penalty, the drama hit even a higher note over the final 40 minutes.

Twinburg’s faithful, who came sporting a drum and bell ringers, could be heard up and down Lorain Avenue after Tigers senior Cory Weddington found the back of the net with less than six minutes gone in the second half.

Weddington’s effort came 1 minute and 51 seconds after Candau saved a shot that was headed for the net by making a quick move to his right near the post.

Saint Ignatius, currently the two-time defending big school state champion, just missed the mark on three shots before Wildcats talented sophomore goalie Mikal Outcalt kept it a 1-0 game by going to the ground and saving a shot that came off a 1-on-1 between him and Tigers’ leading scorer Chase Betenson with 11:29 to play. It was one of three brilliant saves by Outcalt.

Shortly after another diving recovery by Candau, Saint Ignatius sophomore forward JoeMack Leonardo, who just missed on his two previous shots, sent home an authoritative shot and the score was tied with 7:16 left.

Both teams had opportunities down the stretch, but Outcalt and Candau were equal to the task.

Candau added to his impressive night by making a diving rejection to his left with 1:19 remaining.

“I thought we played really well,” said Coach McLaughlin. “Our defense was outstanding and we moved the ball really well and created opportunities.”

Up next for the Wildcats is a match against a highly regarded Western Reserve Academy team on Saturday afternoon at 4 on Wasmer Field. Coach McLaughlin will be looking for a strong response from his team as its faces a WRA program that has five very sound players, players, said Coach McLaughlin, who have the ability to break down defenses.

*Coach Jim Brennan’s junior varsity team improved to 11-1 by defeating the JV Tigers, 1-0. Cole Brownsberger’s second-half goal was the difference maker.