BEREA, OH - The #7 Saint Ignatius Wildcats secured a resounding 6-0 victory against the #10 Trinity Shamrocks on Saturday, September 14. The United Soccer Coaches Poll ranked both teams in the top ten, which made for an intriguing match up at The George Finnie Stadium at Baldwin Wallace University. 

The Cats started strong. Senior Sam Minadeo snuck in a goal from 21 meters out that went past the outstretched hands of the Trinity goalie with 15 minutes left on the first-half clock. 

The Wildcats took a 1-0 halftime advantage before ramping up their offensive efforts to close the contest with five more unanswered goals in the second half. 

In the 45th minute, James Fraser placed a beautiful pass into the box that found the sweeping leg of Zalan Onodi. Dom Ruggiero would score his first of two goals as he tapped the ball across the goal line. 

Just 15 minutes later, Ryan Corrigan avoided Shamrock defenders with his speed to find room in the box. With a great touch, Trivisonno put the ball in the back of the net for his 10th goal of the season, increasing the Wildcat lead to 3-0 with 25 minutes remaining in the match. 

An avalanche of offense ensued for the Wildcats as Trivisonno found the back of the net again in the 68th minute. The Trinity goalie found himself out of position, and the junior placed a magnificent ball for his second goal of the match. 

Not a minute later, Ruggiero scored his second goal of the match. Gregory Friel avoided the goal line and fed Ruggiero a perfect pass that the junior put in the back of the net to give the Wildcats a 5-0 lead. 

With time winding down in the match, James Bartlett intercepted a Trinity pass in the Shamrocks zone. From 13 meters out and with just the goalie in front of him, Bartlett scored the Wildcats' sixth and final goal in the 78th minute.

The Wildcats' goalie, Josh Speelman, played a pivotal role, maintaining a clean sheet throughout the intense contest. "It felt good," says Trivisonno. "After dropping a game to St. Benedicts (NJ), it felt good to come out and prove ourselves against a high-ranked team." 

Looking forward, the Wildcats are set to face the Massillon Jackson Polar Bears at Jackson High School on Thursday, September 19. With a strong record of 5-1-1, the Wildcats aim to extend their win streak to four games.

UReport.com