THE JUNIOR VARSITY 'CATS ALSO SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDED THEIR OHIO JESUIT JV CUP BY DEFEATING THE JV PROGRAM FROM HOST WALSH JESUIT, 2-1.
This weekend's recaps from the annual Ohio Jesuit Cup on the pitch at Walsh Jesuit High School have been courtesy of Saint Ignatius' outstanding Assistant Soccer Coach Mr. Joe Popelka '84 - Mr. Eddie Dwyer
FROM COACH POPELKA: As with yesterday, the extreme heat and humidity on Sunday played a role in all of the matches. Lots of subbing from all teams--the benches did play a factor.
The JV Cup:
Once again the JV Cats prevailed and kept the Jesuit Cup at West 30th and Lorain. Congrats to Coach Brennan and Coach Keefe.
The JV Wildcats beat a spirited Walsh Jesuit side for the first time ever in a Jesuit Cup final, winning 2-1.
The first half saw the Cats dominate the time of possession, but found the scored tied 1-1 at halftime. The Cats opened their account with a header by sophomore Zach Houde from a centering pass compliments of sophomore Henry Curtis. Yet, a defensive breakdown by the Wildcats on a free kick saw Walsh tie the score also on a header.
In the second half the Cats stopped the Warriors from attempting a clean shot on goal and continued to find themselves with most of the play. The Cats (4-0) got the game-winner from sophomore Luke Griffiths from a rebound off the goalie.
The duo of freshman Peter Van Euwen and junior Ryan Mark once again manned the nets for the victory.
The Varsity Cup:
The Varsity Cats played an unusually early 11:00 am contest versus the Bombers of St. Xavier. The Bombers frustrated the Cats throughout the game with their high defensive pressure and physical style of play, but the Men of Blue and Gold got the job done and will retain the Jesuit Cup for yet another year with a 1-0 victory.
The first half ended scoreless with both teams taking just 5 shots on goal. St. X had a couple of good chances off of set pieces,but the Wildcat defense led by senior keeper Lodge Dils was up to the task. St. X also had their best chance of the day on a breakaway late in the first half, but Dils was able to deflect the shot over the crossbar. Saint Ignatius' best 1st half chance was off of a dangerous long free kick by senior Stephen Milhoan that was flicked past the keeper by senior midfielder Tommy Patacca. Yet, to the crowd's dismay the attempt was saved off the line by an alert St. X. defender.
The second half saw Coach McLaughlin switch to a more attacking formation which helped the Cats to gain more time of possession throughout the rest of the contest. The second half also saw the return of senior Adam Collins, who has been nursing an injury so far this campaign. Collins' addition to the line-up produced an immediate benefit as he unleashed a 35m strike that was only just tipped off the post by the St. X keeper. Ten minutes later. freshman Everett Shorey once again showed his promise by getting behind the Bomber defense and hitting a shot that was blocked, but not controlled by the goalie. Collins then swept in and finished the job with the game-winner in the 67th minute. The Wildcat defense did the rest and preserved the well-earned shut-out for Dils.
The Cats (3-0) finished the contest with 12 shots on goal (versus 11 by the now 3-1 Bombers).
The JV and Varsity Cats will play Thursday evening against the Solon Comets. The game site has been changed from Wasmer Field to Krenzler Field on the campus of CSU with JV action at 6:00 and the Varsity to follow at 8:00.