The Saint Ignatius Wildcats defeated the Archbishop Moeller Crusaders to claim the OHSAA boys Division I state soccer championship on 11/11/23 at Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The match was tied 1-1 at the end of regulation, and after two overtime periods didn’t yield a winner, this match went to penalty kicks.
The two teams were still tied after the round of five penalties, and it went to a sixth penalty shot. Saint Ignatius sophomore forward #16 David Salukombo stepped up and calmly slotted the ball to the lower right while Moeller senior goalkeeper #99 Austin Nowak went left.
This penalty shot by sophomore forward #16 David Salukombo was the difference-maker in Saint Ignatius’ comeback victory over Archbishop Moeller in the Division I state championship.@NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/6vRN60xh6p
— Joel Speyer (@nyc_buckeye) November 12, 2023
Archbishop Moeller senior forward #15 Johnny Michel was unable to get his penalty shot past Wildcat senior goalkeeper and captain #0 Colin Monroe. In the postgame press conference, Monroe said he noticed Michel open his hip, and that was the tell he needed. Monroe dove to his right and made a leg save, and the celebration was on.
With this save by goalkeeper and Captain Colin Monroe, the Saint Ignatius Wildcats are Division I state champions! They defeated Archbishop Moeller in penalty kicks. Great match!@NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/L2ur4lgN1i
— Joel Speyer (@nyc_buckeye) November 11, 2023
Archbishop Moeller got on the scoreboard first in the 14th minute from a set play. A corner kick by senior midfielder and captain #10 Bradley Poppel bounced around in front of the net. Junior forward #18 Paxton Hafner, coming in as a substitute, gathered up the loose ball and finished the play.
This was a hard-fought match from the opening whistle, and much of the game was played in the midfield. This was Moeller’s strategy sitting with a 1-0 lead. 75% of Saint Ignatius’ possession was in the midfield and 68% of Moeller’s.
As time began to wind down, it looked like Moeller would hold on and claim its first state championship in soccer. However, Saint Ignatius never stopped fighting and they broke through to even the match in the 75th minute. Sophomore forward #22 Bryce Ince-Lovelace headed in a free kick cross from senior midfielder and captain Nicholas Mikulec. It was a sensational goal that sent the Tiger students and fans into a frenzy.
The goal scored by Ince-Lovelace, who came on as a substitute, was the first goal given up by Nowak since the season opener.
The match was even at 1-1 after the regulation 80 minutes, and after a short break the teams took the pitch for overtime. There was no scoring in the first 15-minute overtime period. The Saint Ignatius Wildcats had a shot on goal, but it was saved by Nowak. Moeller had two corner kicks but no shots on target.
The second overtime was more of the same. Moeller had another corner kick but could not muster a shot on target. Saint Ignatius had two more shots on goal, but these shots were also turned away by Nowak.
Two great saves by the Moeller goalkeeper in the second extra time.@NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/LyKILThCmc
— Joel Speyer (@nyc_buckeye) November 11, 2023
Each team converted four of their five penalty shots after the second overtime, leading to the one-and-one penalty shots that ultimately proved to be the difference.
The Crusaders committed 27 fouls, including 13 in the second half as Moeller clamped down to protect the lead, which was ultimately relinquished. Poppel was the perhaps the most aggressive player on the pitch, committing nine fouls protecting the midfield. The Wildcats committed 16 fouls, and a yellow card warning was issued to a player on both teams.
Archbishop Moeller head coach Mike Welker, finishing his eighth year coaching the Crusaders, reflected on the tough loss in the postgame press conference. Coach Welker has brought the program to new heights and has a lot to be proud of, but today the feeling was disappointment.
Archbishop Moeller head coach Mike Welker speaking after a difficult loss to Saint Ignatius in the OHSAA boys Division II state soccer championship. Moeller had a 1-0 lead up until the 75th minute and the Crusaders lost in PKs.@NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/5dlka0BkuP
— Joel Speyer (@nyc_buckeye) November 12, 2023
Saint Ignatius head coach Mike McLaughlin has led the Wildcats’ soccer program for 29 years. This is Saint Ignatius’ 13th state championship under McLaughlin, and fifth in a row. The Wildcats have won the state championship eight times in the past ten seasons.
Coach McLaughlin acknowledged the success the program has had, but he refused to compare the 2023 state champions to teams in the past.
The 2023 state championship won by Saint Ignatius over Archbishop Moeller was the Tigers’ 5th consecutive championship and 8th in 10 years. Head coach Mike McLaughlin refuses to compare the teams, they’re all special.@NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/RgWn5efelr
— Joel Speyer (@nyc_buckeye) November 12, 2023
When asked about scoring the equalizer late in the game, Coach McLaughlin reflected on how important it is to keep fighting until the end.
Saint Ignatius head coach Mike McLaughlin reflects on the victory over Archbishop Moeller in the boys Division I state championship. The Wildcats broke through with the equalizer with only 5 minutes remaining.@NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/cx23Vid5nS
— Joel Speyer (@nyc_buckeye) November 12, 2023
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