Posted By Mr. Eddie Dwyer

Coach Mike McLaughlin's defending and record seven-time OHSAA State Champion, and 2015 National Champions, improved to 2-0 with Saturday's 4-1 triumph over the Titans on the pitch at Walsh Jesuit.  

The Soccer 'Cats, ranked second in the nation and No. 1 in the region in all of the major polls, were facing a St. John's Jesuit program that they defeated, 2-1, in Sudden Victory Overtime at last year's State Semifinal match on the pitch at Sandusky Perkins High School. Current senior forward Riley Houde provided the winning goal on a breakaway with 8 minutes and 32 seconds remaining in the overtime, and current senior defense Tommy Patacca, one of Coach McLaughlin's Captains this season, scored the first goal of that memorable November night.

Adding to Saturday's encounter with the Titans was the fact that Saint Ignatius also defeated their Jesuit brothers from St. John's, 1-0, in last year's Ohio Jesuit Cup Championship match on Wasmer Field. It marked the 'Cats' seventh OJC title. A goal by standout defense Hunter Gordon (now at the University of Pittsburgh) off an assist from the soccer gifted Lawrence Karpeh (now at Cleveland State University) was the difference maker on that hot and humid August 30th Sunday afternoon.

In 2010, in route to their fourth State Championship, the Wildcats defeated St. John's Jesuit, 5-2, in a state semifinal matchup at Rocky River High School.

WE WILL HAVE MORE ON SATURDAY'S TRIUMPH OVER THE TITANS COMING UP ON THE CORNER.