skip navigation

NATE FAHEY, MATT FOLDESY AND TYLER SANDA HELP LEAD THE WILDCATS' SOCCER TEAM TO A DIVISION I RECORD FOURTH CONSECUTIVE APPEARANCE IN THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.

By Eddie Dwyer, 11/08/11, 12:00AM EST

Share

FAHEY, FOLDESY AND SANDA FUEL A FOUR-GOAL BARRAGE IN THE FINAL 26 MINUTES AS SAINT IGNATIUS DEFEATS COPLEY, 4-1, IN TUESDAY'S STATE SEMIFINAL MATCH AT NORDONIA.

THE WILDCATS WILL FACE POWELL OLENTANGY LIBERTY IN FRIDAY'S DIVISION I STATE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH AT CREW STADIUM IN COLUMBUS. THE ACTION BEGINS AT 7 P.M.

BY EDDIE DWYER, COPYRIGHT NOVEMBER 2011

MACEDONIA, OHIO - Saint Ignatius' tradition-rich soccer program will be making a Division I record fourth consecutive state-championship game appearance on Friday night.

And Nate Fahey, whose skills helped make that possible, says it's just hard to phantom being part of three of those appearances.

Tuesday night, Fahey played a center-stage part for Coach Mike McLaughlin, as the gifted junior midfielder helped ignite a four-goal barrage in the Wildcats' 4-1 state-semifinal victory over Copley at Nordonia High School's Boliantz Stadium.

Saint Ignatius (21-1), the defending big-school state champion, will attempt to write another chapter in its storied history on Friday night when it goes after what would be a record fifth boys' state championship in any division and the fifth in Division I, boys or girls.

The Wildcats, winners of 44 of their past 45 matches, will take a string of 16 consecutive victories into Columbus' Crew Stadium on Friday, where they will face the Patriots from Powell Olentangy Liberty (16-2-3) in the Division I state championship match at 7 p.m. Olentangy Liberty will be making its first appearance in the title game.

"It would cap off a great season," Fahey said of the possible fifth state crown. "We came together as a team this year. It was kind of a building block. "

Saint Ignatius, whose ninth trip to the state final four included three consecutive Golden Goal over-time victories in district and regional play, came together in the second half on Tuesday night and started to build that block in the final 26 minutes.

After a couple of impressive saves by Copley goal keeper Kirby Rice enabled the Indians (15-3-4) to play the Wildcats to a scoreless tie in the first 40 minutes, Saint Ignatius came out attacking from the get-go in the second half. And that pressure finally took its toll.

Fahey, off an assist from senior captain and midfielder/forward Matt Foldesy, gave the 'Cats a 1-0 lead by chipping the ball past the goalie at the 25:08 mark of the second half.

Copley, the Division II state champion in 1994, responded quickly, as the Indians scored off a perfect header by junior midfielder Brandon Gathagan at 23:56.

Just when thoughts of a fourth consecutive Golden Goal overtime were lingering in the press box, Saint Ignatius flashed its final four credentials.

First it was Foldesy showing why he is a University of Akron recruit by firing home his team-leading 19th goal of the season, an authoritative effort that saw Foldesy outmaneuver two defenders, spin around and score at 17:56.

Leading, 2-1, the Wildcats settled the issue on a blast in the box by versatile and strong junior midfielder Tyler Sanda and a breakaway move by Fahey that saw him display exceptional control of the ball with his head and his feet as he sent it past the keeper.

"I'm not known for that (the highlight-reel control of the ball)," said Fahey. "I don't know what it is. We wouldn't be able to do all of this without the teammates who are supporting us on the field and on the bench, the JV (junior varsity team) and all of the people who come to the games."

Coach McLaughlin '85, who has guided his Wildcats to state championships in 2004, 2005, 2008 and 2010, now sports an OHSAA postseason record of 75-12.

"They had faith in each other that the ball was eventually going to find its way into the back of the net," Coach McLaughlin said after Saint Ignatius turned away a Copley team that, in Fahey's words, played a heck of a game, were willing to fight and were relentless.

"It's not supposed to be easy when you're in the state semifinals," McLaughlin continued. "Credit to Copley for what they did this season. They stayed true tonight to the way they've played throughout. A lot of teams have sat back and just tried to block the goal against us. But they came out and played."