SETTING THE TONE EARLY.

WILDCATS DOMINATE THE FIRST HALF AGAINST THE BEARS AND THEN REST THE STARTERS IN PREPARATION FOR SATURDAY'S REGULAR-SEASON SHOWDOWN AT STRONGSVILLE.

STORY POSTED ON 10/6/10 AT 12:56 A.M.

By Eddie Dwyer
Copyright, Oct. 2010

For the past few games, Saint Ignatius' veteran soccer coach Mike McLaughlin '85 has urged his team to come out strong and take advantage of the early opportunities.

Tuesday night on Wasmer Field it was mission accomplished, as the skilled and savvy Wildcats dominated the first 40 minutes and cleared their bench in the second half of a 5-1 victory over the Bears from North Royalton.

Ignoring the brisk and tricky winds that accompanied a cold, swirling rain, the nation's second-ranked team by ESPN Rise improved to 13-0. It is a mark that has seen the 'Cats post eight shutouts and outscore their opponents, 48-5.

In what senior midfielder and co-captain Ryan Ivancic described as putting the foot on the pedal, Saint Ignatius took a 1-0 lead with the game less than four minutes old. Senior co-captain and midfielder Yianni Sarris did the honors by scoring his ninth goal of the season off a corner.

The Wildcats, who travel to Strongsville (9-1-2) on Saturday for a 5 p.m. matchup with the program they defeated, 1-0, in last year's state semifinals at Rocky River, continued to control the Bears at both ends of the field.

Junior defender Zach Martin rocketed home a penalty kick at the 26:12 mark of the first half, senior co-captain and midfielder Luke Blades shook the net off a free kick at 10:13 and less than a minute later, Ivancic scored his fifth goal of 2010 off a pass from Sarris.

Gifted junior forward Matt Foldesy closed out what was a 40-minute clinic with his team-leading 12th goal of the season. It came with just over four minutes remaining in the half.

North Royalton (5-5-2), which was coming off a 4-0 loss to Strongsville and a 2-0 setback to Medina, got on the board in the second half when senior Brian Beckrest found the back of the net at 17:27.

Among those braving the damp conditions at Wasmer Field were Strongsville's highly successful coach Tobey Cook and more than a few of his Mustangs.

As for the 'Cats, who finished as the Division I state runner-up to Gahanna Lincoln last season, they realize there is little time to savor the triumph over the Bears.

And, although they follow the weekly polls, rankings are, said Ivancic, something that need to be put in the proper perspective.

“We do pay attention to it,” said the young man with the endless hustle. “But we have to act like we've been here before. We are aware of it (the rankings), but we're not obsessed over it. Our team goal is a national championship.”

Fans attending Saturday's game at Strongsville are encouraged to arrive early. As part of the Mustangs' pre-game, Bullseye Activewear will be supplying rally spirit towels to the first 150 people to enter the game. Saint Ignatius leads the all-time series, 14-9-6, and the 'Cats and the 'Stangs are 2-2 in postseason encounters.

“It will be a huge game,” said Coach McLaughlin. “Can't wait to battle.”