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SAINT IGNATIUS VERSUS HUDSON VARSITY SOCCER RECAP.

By Eddie Dwyer, 09/17/10, 12:00AM EDT

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THE WILDCATS TURN BACK THE FIRED UP AND UNDERRATED EXPLORERS.

RYAN IVANCIC AND MATT FOLDESY KICK IT HOME, AS THE 'CATS IMPROVE TO 7-0.

POSTED ON 9/17/10 AT 12:47 A.M.
By Eddie Dwyer

As the rain and wind were swirling across Cleveland State University's Krenzler Field late Thursday night, Saint Ignatius head coach Mike McLaughlin '85 summed up the previous 80 minutes in a right-on-the-money, no excuses manner.

“In a game, you are going to get chances,” said Coach McLaughlin after his Wildcats varsity soccer team defeated the Hudson Explorers, 2-1. “And if you don't put those chances away, especially early on, it's going to be a difficult game. That's a good Hudson team. They were really good.

“We knew they were going to get their chances, too, especially on a sloppy night when you expect there will be crazy things happening in the back. But we got the win, your learn from things and we walk away from this realizing that we're human beings and we have to work.”

The opportunities came early and often for Coach McLaughlin's team in the first 40 minutes, but only a strong follow by senior midfielder and co-captain Ryan Ivancic hit home at the 25:32 mark of the first half.

It stayed that way until junior forward Matt Foldesy fired his fifth goal of the season into the net off some clever footwork. Foldesy's effort came with less than six minutes gone in the second half.

It was pretty much an aggressive defensive struggle for the next 26 minutes, before junior midfielder Ike Pouliot put the Explorers on the right path by scoring with 8 minutes and 8 seconds remaining. Hudson is a team much stronger than its 2-2-2 record would indicate.

Saint Ignatius (7-0), which has now outscored its opponents, 20-2, entered the game ranked third in the POWERADE ESPN RISE FAB 50 national team rankings and second in the state coaches' poll.

Thursday night's encounter featured a Hudson program that produced a state and national champion in 2002 and a Coach McLaughlin-led Wildcats program that has won three state championships – 2004, '05 and '08 – a national crown in '05 and was a state runner-up last season.

“I like these games in a way, because they are humbling for us,” Coach McLaughlin said. “They make us realize that you can't take anything for granted.

“I'm pleased that we were able to play with a new lineup. Zach Martin (junior defender) didn't play tonight because he has mononucleosis. So we dealt with the things that made the night difficult and got through with the win.”

Up next for the 'Cats is Mentor (5-3-1), which pays a visit to Saint Ignatius' Wasmer Field on Saturday at 3 p.m.