COACH MIKE MCLAUGHLIN'S SOCCER 'CATS WILL FACE POWELL OLENTANGY LIBERTY IN FRIDAY'S DIVISION I STATE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH AT CREW STADIUM IN COLUMBUS. ACTION GETS UNDERWAY AT 7 P.M.
THE SAINT IGNATIUS BROADCASTING NETWORK WILL PROVIDE LIVE COVERAGE ON THE MATCH, AS THE L & L MEN – THE SMOOTH AND SAVVY LEWIS BACKUS WITH THE PLAY BY PLAY AND THE ASTUTE LUCAS MATHESON ON COLOR COMMENTARY - WILL DESCRIBE EVERY MOVE, PASS, SHOT, TACKLE AND SAVE.
BECAUSE OF THE BUS RIDE BACK TO CLEVELAND FOLLOWING THE GAME, THE CORNER'S STORY WILL BE POSTED IN THE WEE HOURS SATURDAY MORNING. BUT IT WILL BE THERE FOR YOUR MORNING COFFEE AND, IF ALL GOES WELL ON THE FIELD, TO BRIGHTEN THE DAY.
BY EDDIE DWYER, COPYRIGHT NOVEMBER 2011
After his Wildcats defeated Copley, 4-1, in Tuesday night's Division I state semifinal match at Nordonia High School, Saint Ignatius head soccer coach Mike McLaughlin '85 said at this stage it is all about being whom you are.
Coach McLaughlin's program, which has stayed true to its style of play through 22 matches, including three consecutive Golden Goal overtime victories in district final and regional play, will attempt to display once again the excellence and resilience that is Saint Ignatius soccer.
The defending state champion Wildcats (21-1), riding a 16-match winning streak and winners of 44 of their past 45 matches, will be making a Division I record fourth consecutive appearance in the state championship match when they take on the Olentangy Liberty Patriots (16-2-3) Friday night at 7 in Columbus' Crew Stadium.
In what has been their ultimate goal all season, the Wildcats will be seeking a record fifth boys state championship in any division and what would be a record fifth state title in Division I, boys or girls.
Coach McLaughlin, now in his 17th season as his alma mater's head coach, has guided Saint Ignatius to the big-school state championship in 2004, 2005, 2008 and 2010 and to a runner-up finish in 2009. The Wildcats garnered national titles in 2005 and 2010.
Entering Friday's championship match, McLaughlin, a former soccer mainstay and record-setting football kicker at Saint Ignatius, has a career record of 286-39-33. His teams are 75-12 in OHSAA postseason play.
"We keep doing what we do, knowing that it is eventually going to pay off if we keep working at it," McLaughlin said.
And the success and challenges that work produces never get old.
"Every year it's different," Coach McLaughlin said of the state championship appearances. "This hasn't been an easy season for these guys. We've had to work for everything. It's been a lot harder than past seasons.
"But I think the harder it is the more you value it, the more you put into it and the more you appreciate it. These kids are excited."
So excited that gifted junior midfielder Nate Fahey, now a member of three Wildcats teams to have reached the title match, describes it as "the ultimate feeling" and Crew Stadium as "an unbelievable atmosphere."
As for Olentangy Liberty, the Patriots also know a little bit about hard work and perseverance.
Coach Rick Collins' team is making its first state championship match appearance after defeating previously undefeated Beavercreek, 2-1 (14 to 13 in penalty kicks), in a shootout on Tuesday night.
Junior Sam DeRoy delivered the 14th penalty kick and its was Patriots night in Delaware County after junior goal keeper Anderson deAndrade made a diving save to his right.
Olentangy Liberty forced the first overtime when sophomore Thomas Gullo, unmarked on the play, fired home a shot with 1 minute, 34 seconds remaining in regulation. Gullo also provided two penalty kicks in the shootout.
The Patriots won their first regional championship on Saturday by eliminating Dublin Coffman, 3-1. Junior Kyle Baum showed the way with two goals and DeRoy also had a net-finder.
ON THE MONEY: In 2005, Powell, Ohio, where Olentangy Liberty is located, was rated 18th by CNN Money and Money magazine in what was a list of the top 100 United States cities to live in. Powell rests between the Scioto and Olentangy Rivers and is 14 miles north of Columbus. Yes, it's a short trip to Crew Stadium for the Patriots.
Maybe the Wildcats can make it a long 14 miles back home.