CLEVELAND, OH - It was a playoff-like atmosphere on the campus of Cleveland State University on Wednesday night as the Saint Ignatius Soccer Wildcats hosted the Western Reserve Academy Pioneers.
The Pioneers came into the match, conceding just two goals through 11 games and posting a 10-1-0 record. The Wildcats entered Wednesday with a 8-1-1 record, on a five-game winning streak, and shutting out their three previous opponents (Trinity, Jackson, Revere).
It would be a match to remember for the Wildcats, as the seniors were honored with their parents in the pregame for Senior Night. On Wednesday night, the soccer program celebrated 15 student-athletes and one manager.
The starting XI would consist of all seniors against the Pioneers. As the first half got underway, it was evident that the match would be physical and bring a playoff-like atmosphere in late September.
The Wildcats and Pioneers would get decent looks on the offensive zone, but senior Josh Speelman and WRA's Caydence Robinson made tremendous plays between the pipes. Through the first 30 minutes of the match, the Wildcats and Pioneers were deadlocked at 0.
However, the Pioneers broke the scoreless tie in the 33rd minute. Speelman came out of the box to make a play on the ball but was caught out of position. WRA's Max Born found a way to get a shot past Justis Olorunto, and the Pioneers took a 1-0 advantage.
The deficit for the Wildcats would not last long for the Wildcats; with 5:12 remaining in the first half, junior Sammy Trivisonno put a pass on target to senior Marty McLaughlin. As McLaughlin moved into the box, he was tripped up by WRA's Chris Turk. A penalty kick was on the horizon for McLaughlin.
Calm, cool, and collected, McLaughlin made the equalizer penalty kick as Robinson chose the wrong spot to dive. Both teams had a chance to grab the lead, but as the theme was all night long, defenses made multiple clutch plays.
"We wanted to bounce back before the half; just two minutes later, on a counterattack, Sammy [Trivisonno] flicked a perfect ball, and the defender took me down," explains McLaughlin. "We earned the penalty, and I just put it in the back of the net. Picked a spot and went for it."
As the second half got underway, each minute that passed made for more even anxious moments at Krenzler Field, the feeling that the next goal would be the game-winner.
With 32 minutes remaining in the second half, Trivisonno crossed a beautiful pass into the box, but Bryce Ince-Lovelance could not get a shot on the net, and the Pioneers took back the possession.
The Wildcats' offensive attack continued, looking to take the late-game advantage. With 18 minutes left to play in the match, McLaughlin would have a corner kick. The senior captain delivered a near-perfect corner kick. Domenic Ruggiero came in with a header, but miraculously, Robinson made the save.
The Wildcats would finally break through in the 64th minute of the match when McLaughlin was awarded another corner kick. In a similar play to Ruggerio in the 62nd minute, McLaughlin found Ruggerio by the back post, giving the Wildcats a 2-1 lead.
Speelman and the Wildcat defense would continue to stifle any Pioneer attack, and time would expire under the lights at Krenzler Field.
The Wildcats defeated Western Reserve Academy by a 2-1 final, winning their sixth straight and improving to 9-1-1.
"A game like that boosts the team morale," says Olorunto. "We fought for 80 minutes, and to do it on Senior Night was great."
The Wildcats will travel to New Jersey/New York this weekend for their annual out-of-town matches. On Friday, September 27, the Wildcats will take on Delbarton (NJ) at Ryan Family Field in Morristown, New Jersey, at 4 p.m. The SIBN will have video coverage.
On Saturday, September 28, the Wildcats will play Chaminade (NY) at Ryan Family Field at Delbarton. The Wildcats are ranked seventh, and the Flyers are ranked 14th by The United Soccer Coaches. The SIBN will also have video coverage, with kick-off at 2 p.m.
