SAN DIEGO, CA - Saint Ignatius Lacrosse opened its spring break trip Wednesday night with a dramatic comeback, erasing a 7-2 halftime deficit before Cathedral Catholic escaped with a 13-12 overtime win at Manchester Stadium. This marked the first time since 2018 that the lacrosse program played a game in the Golden State. The last time the Wildcats went out West, they would play Coronado (W, 9-6), Torrey Pines (L, 7-8), and Loyola (L, 8-12).

The Wildcats pushed back in the second half after a difficult first half and eventually forced the extra period, but Cathedral Catholic finished the one-goal game after controlling possession for long stretches. The hosts won the FO battle 19-8 and held a 34-24 edge in shots on goal, a difference that loomed large even as Saint Ignatius matched Cathedral Catholic with 19 groundballs and posted an 86% clear rate.

St. Ignatius still generated great offense when chances came. Michael McManamon led the Wildcats with a goal, four assists, and five points, while Peyton LaRue added three goals, and Oliver Golebiewski scored three goals. Zander Boland contributed two goals and an assist, helping fuel the rally from the five-goal halftime hole deficit.

In goal, Brennan Reilly kept Saint Ignatius within range as Cathedral Catholic kept pressing. Reilly faced 23 shots on goal. The Dons put 16 of their 34 shots on goal and repeatedly created chances off face off wins, but Reilly's work in the cage helped give the Wildcats the opportunity to storm back and extend the game.

The Wildcats' defensive work also gave them a path back into the contest. St. Ignatius finished with five forced turnovers, 19 ground balls, and three man-down stops, while both teams came up empty on extra-man advantage chances. The Cats went 0-for-2 in extra-man situations, Cathedral Catholic 0-for-3, and the nearly identical clear numbers, 12-for-14 for Saint Ignatius and 11-for-13 for Cathedral Catholic, kept the game tight once the Wildcats settled in after halftime.

Although the comeback did not carry through to a win, the Cats turned their first game in San Diego into a competitive finish after trailing 7-2 at the break. The Wildcats showed enough balance on offense and enough toughness defensively to force overtime against a very good Cathedral Catholic Team. Saint Ignatius needed every bit of poise it could find Thursday night in San Diego, and the Wildcats delivered a finish the team will remember for a long time. In the second game of the trip to San Diego, Saint Ignatius earned a dramatic 11-10 win over La Costa Canyon by scoring a walk-off goal coming from Michael McManamon in triple overtime to seal the victory.

The deciding moment capped a huge night for McManamon, who led the Wildcats with two goals, six assists, and eight points. The senior was at the center of the offense all evening, helping Saint Ignatius answer runs and create chances in a game that stayed tight deep into extra time. 

Saint Ignatius built its edge with hustle plays and possession work in other areas, even while La Costa Canyon controlled the face off. The Wildcats finished with 30 ground balls to just 17 for La Costa Canyon and forced 5 turnovers, while La Costa Canyon finished the night with 0 forced turnovers. Saint Ignatius also cleared at a strong rate, going 12-for-13 on clears for a 93% success rate. La Costa Canyon won the face off battle 17-10, but the Wildcats made up for it by scrapping for loose balls and extending possessions.

In the cage, Callaway Connelly gave Saint Ignatius the stops it needed in a one-goal game. Connelly led the Wildcats with 11 saves and a 53% save percentage as he faced 22 shots on goal. With La Costa Canyon putting 31 shots on net, those saves helped keep the Wildcats within striking distance and then alive through overtime, as the defense continued to battle.

The Wildcats generated 30 shots and put 21 on the cage, finishing at 37% shooting. Saint Ignatius did not convert on its extra-man chances, but the offense found enough production at even strength to get over the line. In a game decided by the smallest margin, every ground ball, every clear, and every defensive stand mattered.

For Saint Ignatius, the best memory will be the final outcome and the moment that ended it: triple overtime, one final opening, and McManamon delivering the game-winner against La Costa Canyon. On a night packed with pressure, balance, and resilience, the Wildcats left San Diego with a signature 11-10 victory.

The Wildcats come home with a 7-2 record on the season and return to Northeast Ohio action on Wednesday, April 15, when they travel to Hudson to take on the Explorers in a big Region II battle. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Hudson Memorial Stadium.