Entering the season, the Saint Ignatius Soccer coaching staff saw a challenge ahead.
With a difficult schedule and a youthful, yet talented squad, the Wildcats knew opponents would be targeting the back-to-back-to-back state champs and their lengthy unbeaten streak.
Following a long bus trip to Cincinnati, the Wildcats saw the 61-match unbeaten streak come to an end on Saturday at the hands of St. Xavier at the Ohio Jesuit Cup.
Craig Wellens set the stage for the upset with a goal five minutes into the contest for the Bombers. The Wildcats tied the contest three minutes late, increasing the pressure and creating scoring opportunities. But it was the Bombers who found the net next, on a goal with 16 minutes left in the half. The Wildcats notched another tying tally less than a minute later.
The Bombers' response from Nathan Neal gave the Bombers a 3-2 lead heading into halftime, turning momentum over to the hosts.
St. Xavier hung on throughout the second half, and added a late goal to seal the 4-2 win, and the Bombers' fourth appearance in the Jesuit Cup finals in five years. The defeat marked the first for the Soccer Cats since a loss to Copley in 2014. The Bombers defeated Toledo St. John's Jesuit on Sunday in penalty kicks to secure the tournament victory.
Though the Wildcats' long streak had ended, the Soccer Cats did not mope. Instead, the Wildcats responded in a big way.
The Wildcats made a resounding statement with an 8-1 victory over Walsh Jesuit on Sunday. The whole team contributed in a team win for the Soccer Cats, as seven different players scored a goal. Ryan Mark anchored the squad in net, holding the Warriors at bay.
With the win, the Wildcats advance to 3-1 on the season.
"Everything we do throughout the season helps us get ready for the playoffs," said Head Soccer Coach Mike McLaughlin '85. "We play the toughest schedule in the state so we're not surprised in October. With such a young group, we knew there would be lessons to be learned – that's the only way you get better. The boys handled the loss really well and turned it around the next day and had a really nice win over Walsh."
McLaughlin and the Soccer Cats will return to the pitch on Thursday to continue the team's quest to improve. The Solon Comets will host the Wildcats on Thursday for a 7 p.m. matchup.
JV UPDATE: The JV A squad of Jim Brennan '85 split its weekend, falling 5-3 to St. Xavier on Saturday and defeating Walsh Jesuit on Sunday, 6-1. The JV A Cats stand at 2-1-1 on the year entering Thursday's contest vs. Solon.
The JV B team of Anthony Fior '02 lost both of its weekend matches, dropping a 4-0 decision to the Bombers and a narrow 1-0 match to the Mason Comets. The JV B Cats now have a 1-2 record heading into their next match on September 5 at Mayfield.