Yet again, the Saint Ignatius varsity soccer team found itself traveling to Nordonia High School for another playoff matchup. This time, for the Regional Final.
The Wildcats entered the match against the University School Preppers with a point to prove. Tying them in the regular season 1–1, the Wildcats looked for revenge.
In that earlier season game, US ran to each other in celebration, thinking they had won the game, while the Wildcats sat in anger. The Soccer Cats wanted to prove that they could beat this team and they did so. The two teams battle hard for 80 minutes straight.
Back-and-forth action with not a lot of purpose left this game scoreless. In the entire 80 minutes of regulation, senior goalie captain Ryan Mark was not tested once. The possession was almost all in favor of the Wildcats.
Good chances could not be finished off at the last moment. In the first half, the best attempt came from the squad's other captain, senior Alex Rohr. Off of a corner kick from Matthew McLaughlin, Rohr hit a ball striking towards the left post with his head. The ball took a deflection, hit the keeper's left mit, and rattled wide. The second half best opportunity came from another corner late in the game. Off of a clearance, Kyle Folds lined up to take a volley that could’ve been one for the ages. It was saved at the very last moment on the near left bottom corner from the US keeper.
Five minutes into the first overtime, senior Kevin Shearer was awarded his second yellow card of the night, resulting in a red card. The Wildcats had to play with 10 men for the rest of the match as a result.
The first extra time period ended with no real chances from either side. However, five minutes into the second, McLaughlin's corner left the ball floating in the air. An aware Bryce Horton struck it into the top of the net with his head for an amazing game-winning goal.
The team swarmed Horton as he ran around the field. The goal allowed the Wildcats to fight another day.
With the sudden death thriller behind them, the Wildcats will advance to the State Semifinal on Wednesday. The Soccer Cats will return to Nordonia for a rematch with Medina
The SIBN will have live, audio-only coverage for the 7 p.m. match.