FROM SAINT IGNATIUS' OUTSTANDING ASSISTANT SOCCER COACH MR. JOE POPELKA, and posted by Mr. Eddie Dwyer

FROM COACH POPELKA: Cats are the Parma District Champions after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over a defensive-minded North Royalton Bears squad this afternoon at Padua Franciscan High School. The victory improves the Cats to 17-0-2 for the campaign and moves them to a regional semi-final match-up with Shaker Heights, a 2-1 winner this evening against Painesville Riverside in the Mentor District.

The Bears were determined to slow down the Cats this afternoon as they committed themselves to an afternoon of defensive soccer.  The game saw the Cats outshoot the Bears 23-4, but St. Ignatius could only find the back of the net at the 20:41 mark of the second half. Senior Riley Houde scored the game winner from an assist by Senior Stephen Milhoan.

The Cats' defense of Seniors Tommy Patacca, Patrick Strauss, Adam Haas, Junior Matt Trickett, and Sophomore Tommy Marusic did not allow the Bears to mount any serious threat throughout the game. Senior Keeper Lodge Dils did not have to record a save in the contest.

The Regional Semi-Final game will be Wednesday Nov. 2 at 7:00 at Brush High School versus the talented Shaker Heights Red Raiders.

Joseph Popelka '84

Note from the corner: Coach Mike McLaughlin's two-time defending and record seven-time OHSAA State Champions have extended their unbeaten streak to 55 consecutive matches. The Soccer Cats entered Saturday's District Championship Game as the top-ranked team in Ohio and the No. 1 team in USA Today's Super 25 National Poll.