The Soccer Cats, who entered Saturday afternoon's match on Wasmer Field as the top-ranked team in the nation by USA Today, now stand 5-0-1 on the season.

The Cats' unbeaten streak (including ties) is at 42 matches, but its 21-match winning streak came to an end.

Cardinal Gibbons, which played to a 2-2 tie versus Dublin Coffman on Wasmer Field Friday evening, goes home to Raleigh, North Carolina with a record of 5-1-2.

FROM COACH POPELKA '84:

The Cats failed to secure a victory for the first time this season when they tied, 1-1, this afternoon on Wasmer Field against the Cardinal Gibbons Crusaders, from Raleigh, North Carolina.

The alchemy of another hot, humid summer afternoon, tired legs due to a quick turn around from a late match the previous night against Lake Catholic, several key injuries, but mostly a talented and determined visiting side combined to test the Cats' will. Despite leading the Crusaders at half 1-0, the Wildcats could not keep the visitors off the score board in the second half and settled for a hard-earned tie.

The Crusaders came out playing a high energy, pressing style of play that helped to disrupt the potent Wildcat offense. Aided by a strong wind at their back for the first half, the visitors outshot the home team 7-3. Yet, the only score in the first half came with 5:42 to play in the half when Wildcat Senior Stephen Milhoan overpowered a pair of Gibbons defenders and then beat the keeper for the 1-0 lead.

The second half saw both teams battle for momentum until the Crusaders scored with 22:55 remaining in the contest off of a quality strike from 30m out. Now tied 1-1, the Cats continued to press for a winner but could not find any late game magic.

The Crusaders led the contest with 12 shots to 8 shots for the Cats. Saint Ignatius Keeper Lodge Dils recorded 5 saves in the match.

The Cats will play next at home against Copley, Thursday night at Wasmer Field.