Nate Fahey strikes early with two goals and the Wildcats dominate the 50-50 balls in the first half en route to a 7-0 victory at Padua.
Up next for Coach Mike McLaughlin's 2-0 defending state champs is a trip to Walsh Jesuit on Saturday and Sunday for the annual Jesuit Cup.
*Congratulations go out to Saint Ignatius' outstanding senior cornerback Tommy Fanning, who has been selected as the Wildcats' fourth captain for the 2012 football season (see after soccer story).
By Eddie Dwyer, Copyright 2012
Saint Ignatius' gifted forward Nate Fahey said he thought the Wildcats lacked emotion during Tuesday night's pre-game warmup at Padua Franciscan High School.
So, like any responsible senior captain, Fahey was determined to go out and create some excitement - in a hurry.
The Wildcats, with Fahey scoring two goals before the game was two minutes old, went on to wear down the varsity soccer team from Padua, 7-0. The match was called with 13 minutes and 27 seconds remaining in the second half because of thunder and lightning.
It marked the second consecutive year that the Saint Ignatius-Padua game was called early. The 11-0 victory over the Bruins in the 2011 season opener on Wasmer Field was also halted when one of the officials spotted lightning.
A persistent rain arrived just minutes before Tuesday's thunder and lightning.
Nothing could dampen Fahey's fire, however, as the young man who put together a memorable postseason tournament run last fall provided his own early thunder by kissing the back of the net with two authoritative shots. Senior midfielder Bryan Leneghan assisted on Fahey's first goal and standout senior defender Jacob Roth provided the lead on the second one.
With Coach Mike McLaughlin's team winning almost all of the 50-50 battles in the first 40 minutes, the Wildcats pushed their lead to 3-0 on a goal by senior midfielder Nick Taljan off an assist from junior midfielder Alec Nagucki with 4:30 left in the first half. Taljan was coming off a two-goal performance in Saturday's 3-0 victory over Solon at Saint Ignatius.
It was more of the same in the second half as the Wildcats took control on a goal by junior midfielder Matt Ivancic, a header by Roth off a nice throw-in by Taljan, a goal by senior midfielder Patrick Jeffries and a net-finder by seinor co-captain Tyler Sanda that was assisted by senior midfielder Colin Maloney.
Although the season is just two games old, Fahey said he is especially pleased with defense right now and the two shutouts the 'Cats have posted, but wants to see his team possess the ball more.
With Tuesday night's shutout, Coach McLaughlin's program has now won 19 consecutive matches and 47 of its last 48 matches.
Saint Ignatius' junior varsity team also improved to 2-0 by shutting down the Bruins, 6-0. In Jim Brennan's career as the Wildcats' JV coach, a career that now features 201 victories, he has never lost to a school from Parma. And of course that is where Padua resides on State Road. Not bad for a guy who grew up in Parma.
As for the JV game, sophomore forward Nick Malik had three goals and the other net-finders were provided by sophomores Cole Hartmann and Matt Nigro and freshman Zack Senf.
*A huge congratulations from this corner goes out to Saint Ignatius' shut-down senior cornerback and two-year varsity mainstay Tommy Fanning, who on Tuesday was selected by Coach Chuck Kyle and his staff as the Wildcats' fourth captain for 2012.
Tommy, who had a 2011 season that featured 52 tackles and four interceptions, said he was humbled and honored to be joining such great teammates as Saint Ignatius' 2012 senior leaders - defensive end/tight end Kevin Kavalec, tailback/safety Tim McVey and offensive guard Mike Cray.
*Just a reminder that on Wednesday evening, the corner will post its outlook on the season-opening showdown between the 11-time state football champion Wildcats and the eight-time Ohio champion Cardinals from Youngstown Cardinal Mooney. The game will be played in Cleveland Browns Stadium on Saturday night at 7.
*For a look at the 2012 Wildcats, check out the corner's preview that was posted on Sunday night.