UP NEXT: A BATTLE OF THE 'CATS, AS SAINT IGNATIUS AND MAYFIELD MEET IN SATURDAY'S 3 P.M. REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME ON THE TURF AT ROCKY RIVER HIGH SCHOOL MAYFIELD (16-1-3) WILL BE MAKING ITS FIRST REGIONAL-FINAL APPEARANCE SINCE 1989.
BY EDDIE DWYER, COPYRIGHT NOVEMBER 2011
RAVENNA, OHIO – Preston Spurrier said it was just a matter of time before he and his teammates would start stringing passes together, "play the Ignatius way" and finish the game.
And for the second match in six nights, the Wildcats needed a little extra time to find the key to the Saint Ignatius way.
Coach Mike McLaughlin's defending Division I state champions, coming off Thursday's dramatic double-overtime Golden Goal victory over St. Edward in the district finals, rode Spurrier's rebound with 3:36 remaining in Golden Goal overtime to a 1-0 victory over an aggressive Massillon Jackson team in Tuesday night's regional semifinal match up on Gilcrest Field in Ravenna Stadium.
The Wildcats, who have 12 shutouts on the season, including four in OHSAA tournament play, will take a 19-1 record into Saturday's regional championship game against Mayfield at Rocky River High School. Saint Ignatius will be seeking a record fourth consecutive appearance in the state final four. Coach McLaughlin's program is also striving to become the first boys soccer team in Ohio to win five state championships.
Massillon Jackson, which is now 0-8 in its encounters with the 'Cats, closed its season at 13-5-2. The Polar Bears have been eliminated by Saint Ignatius in the postseason five times since 2004, with four of those setbacks coming at the regional-final level.
After he joined his team in singing the Alma Mater and praying the Our Father, Coach McLaughlin '85 suggested to his Wildcats that they might like to try getting it done in regulation on Saturday. Standout senior forward/midfielder Matt Foldesy, grinning from ear to ear, said that wouldn't be dramatic enough.
Ah, the Saint Ignatius way - never a dull moment.
Although the scoreboard didn't show it, there was nothing dull about Tuesday night's 40-minute regulation.
The Wildcats, behind some strong first-half defense by junior midfielder Tyler Sanda, senior defender David Mog, senior goal keeper Brendan Cash and junior defender Jacob Roth, turned back every charge the hungry-for-the-upset Polar Bears made.
Saint Ignatius definitely controlled the flow of possession, but Jackson, getting behind the ball defensively and benefiting from some exceptional saves by goalie Pat Schauer, was able to say with the Wildcats.
"They were pretty physical, they hustled and worked hard," said Spurrier of the Polar Bears, pointing out that the officials let the teams play.
Physical play is nothing new for the Wildcats, who year in and year out face a talent-laden schedule.
After some missed opportunities by Saint Ignatius in the final 18 minutes of regulation, the teams geared up for the 15-minute overtime.
Spurrier ended the drama on the first night of November by firing home the game-winner in the 12th minute of Golden Goal. Preston scored when he took the rebound off nice play by Sanda and Foldesy, an effort said Spurrier that saw Sanda play a great ball through to Foldesy.
"I'm as tired of playing them as they are of playing us," said Coach McLaughlin of Jackson. 'It's always such a close game and physically such a hard fought game. But I was pleased. From the get-go I thought we controlled the game and the time of possession. We kept them on their heels, but to their credit their defense played great and their goal keeper played great.
"At this stage, it's about willing your way to win and as the game went on we got stronger."