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Stephen Milhoan Named Gatorade's Ohio Boys Soccer Player of the Year

By Joe Ginley, 06/12/17, 12:30PM EDT

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One of the greatest soccer players in Saint Ignatius history has another feather in his cap.

Stephen Milhoan, a recently graduated Wildcat bound for Xavier University in the fall, has been named Gatorade's Ohio Boys Soccer Player of the Year for the second straight year. 

From Gatorade's press release: 

"The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field, distinguishes Milhoan as Ohio’s best high school boys soccer player. Now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Boys Soccer Player of the Year award to be announced in June, Milhoan joins an elite alumni association of past state soccer award-winners."

Milhoan notched an incredible 31 goals and 9 assists in 2016, despite missing some games due to injury, including the team's trip to Denver. Milhoan scored two goals in the team's State Semifinal victory and a goal and an assist in the Wildcats' win in the State Championship.

After an amazing four years, the Medina native now holds the school's career records for goals (80) and career points (199).

"Over the past 4 years, Stephen has left an indelible mark on the Saint Ignatius soccer program, Head Soccer Coach Mike McLaughlin '85 said of Milhoan at the end of the season. "He has scored some incredible goals, he has entertained us with his ability on the ball, but mostly what he did for 4 years was impress us with his work ethic and his desire to be his best each day."

Milhoan won a host of other honors during his time wearing the blue and gold, too. The future Musketeer was named the National Soccer Coaches Association of America’s 2016 National Player of the Year and the 2015 and 2016 Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association Division I Player of the Year.

“Stephen was a special player,” said Rick Collins, head coach of Olentangy Liberty High School. “He was everywhere, always on the ball and active making runs off the ball and very hard to mark.”

Off the field, Milhoan showed why he's an Ignatius man and true student-athlete. Milhoan finished his time at Saint Ignatius with a 3.68 GPA. In his free time, Milhoan volunteered at a local home for cancer patients and at a homeless shelter, also serving as a youth soccer coach and referee.

New this year, Gatorade will donate $1,000 to the winner's national or local youth sports organization of choice, part of the Gatorade Play It Forward program. 

Milhoan will be missed at Wildcat High, both on and off the field. Congrats to Stephen and his family on yet another well-deserved honor!