Early goal separates
Saint Ignatius from University
Wolfpack's 1-0 victory earns 3rd-straight regional title
By Nicholas Rucco
CHICAGO -- In a tense regional final right in the backyard of University (Chicago), Saint Ignatius was able to ride the momentum of an early goal to top its host 1-0 and secure a spot in the IHSA sectional semifinal round.
Saint Ignatius (7-6-5) looked like it was shot out of a cannon from the opening whistle and earned a throw-in deep in opposing territory in the second minute of play.
Midfielder Tyler Masseur launched his throw to the center of the box. Defender Billy Thompson was there to nod the ball on to midfielder Jack Lowe at the goal line, who bundled the ball into the goal at the back post. University protested that Lowe used his hand to force the ball over the line, but the refs allowed the goal to stand for the quick 1-0 Saint Ignatius lead.
"That’s a play we’ve run a million times this season,” Thompson said. “Most people expect that I’m trying to score the goal, so they don’t expect the flick. Usually, it’s too quick for the other team to react.”
Saint Ignatius continued to pin the Maroons in their own half for most of the half, as Lowe and forward Oscar Quinn-Pasin peppered University goalkeeper James Fry with chances.
Quinn-Pasin had an excellent opportunity to double Saint Ignatius’ advantage in the 25th minute, when he found himself through on the left wing following a nice give-and-go with midfielder David Jacobo. But his final touch took him too wide, and his shot was saved by a diving Fry.
The hosts found a little rhythm towards the end of the first half. In the 33rd minute, forward Dylan Sparrow found himself in on goal with an opportunity to level the game. However, Saint Ignatius goalkeeper Liam McConnell was quick off his line and able to make a sliding challenge on the ball just outside the box. University was unable to capitalize on the resulting throw-in.
After the halftime break, the Maroons reversed roles and dictated play. Midfielder Philip Kellermeier and forward Charlie Young were in sync, linking up slick passes to create space on the left wing.
“We built up a lot of chemistry throughout the season,” Kellermeier said. “It didn’t start that way, but these last two games, it’s been way better between us.”
Just as University’s fan base was reaching its greatest numbers and maximum volume, Young found himself with the Maroons’ best chance from the build-up, but his shot from 12 yards fell right into the arms of McConnell in the 47th minute.
Saint Ignatius rode out the University pressure, then went in search of an insurance goal. In the 69th minute, Saint Ignatius forward Christian Carr cut past one defender to take on another before he was taken down in the box. The referee awarded a penalty kick, but Lowe’s shot flew over the crossbar.
University’s Charlie Young continued to find himself in space out on the left wing, but he couldn’t use his speed to orchestrate any dangerous chances. Shortly after a last-gasp opportunity that resulted in Young being called offside, the horn sounded, declaring Saint Ignatius the victor by a final score of 1-0.
“It feels incredible,” said Matt Miller, head coach of Saint Ignatius. “We had some opportunities to get the game out of reach earlier on, but the perseverance and tenacity of the players was great. They ran their hearts out today.”
University head coach Josh Potter was incredibly proud of his team’s resiliency. He commended his players for the drive and determination they showed in the second half.
“Once our boys settled into the game, I feel like we really executed well, especially after halftime,” Potter said. “We took them out of their game plan, but they did a great job of keeping us out of the net.”
Kellermeier felt like his team deserved a goal for their efforts, but he and his teammates will hold their heads high when looking back at the accomplishments they have had this season.
“We really worked on building a close, tight community. We worked hard for each and every one of us on the field,” he said.
Saint Ignatius might not have been in the driver’s seat for most of the second half like it was in the opening few minutes, but their “bend, but don’t break” mentality was carried out dutifully by the very commanding Billy Thompson and the rest of Wolfpack defense.
“He’s probably one of the best defenders I’ve ever coached,” Miller said. “With his leadership, his overall ability to defend, and his threat in the air, he’s a tremendous player.”
When Saint Ignatius did move forward, they were able to do so with relative ease thanks to the creativity of holding midfielder David Jacobo and his mates.
“We’re like the composers of the whole orchestra,” Jacobo said. “At first, I tried to play it more possessive and keeping it in the back, but we realized that we needed to step it up a little bit, and in the second half it was much more back to front.”
Saint Ignatius’ offense may not have been as prolific as it was in its 4-2 victory against Westinghouse on Oct. 19, but this clean-sheet will go a long way towards establishing confidence heading into its St. Laurence Sectional semifinal against Chicago Public League regular-season and playoff champion Payton on Wednesday.
“The last few games in the regular-season and the first game in the playoffs, our defense was poor, to be honest,” Thompson said. “Getting back into the rhythm that we had with our defense in the early part of the season and keeping clean-sheets, it means a lot.”
Starting lineups
Saint Ignatius
GK Liam McConnell
D Nathan Schneider
D Lucas Hanna
D Billy Thompson
D Christian Rodriguez
MF David Jacobo
MF Jaxson Hanlon
MF Dillon Kraft
MF Jack Lowe
MF Tyler Masseur
F Christian Carr
University (Chicago)
GK James Fry
D Jacob de Jong
D Tomasz Witkowski
D Frederick Pytel
D Kaden Moubayed
MF Milo Jarard
MF Philip Kellermeier
MF Joseph Wanner
F Samuel Beck
F Luca Todorov
F Charlie Young
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Billy Thompson, sr., D, Saint Ignatius
Scoring summary
First half
Saint Ignatius – Lowe (Thompson) 2nd minute
Second half
No scoring
Saint Ignatius from University
Wolfpack's 1-0 victory earns 3rd-straight regional title
By Nicholas Rucco
CHICAGO -- In a tense regional final right in the backyard of University (Chicago), Saint Ignatius was able to ride the momentum of an early goal to top its host 1-0 and secure a spot in the IHSA sectional semifinal round.
Saint Ignatius (7-6-5) looked like it was shot out of a cannon from the opening whistle and earned a throw-in deep in opposing territory in the second minute of play.
Midfielder Tyler Masseur launched his throw to the center of the box. Defender Billy Thompson was there to nod the ball on to midfielder Jack Lowe at the goal line, who bundled the ball into the goal at the back post. University protested that Lowe used his hand to force the ball over the line, but the refs allowed the goal to stand for the quick 1-0 Saint Ignatius lead.
"That’s a play we’ve run a million times this season,” Thompson said. “Most people expect that I’m trying to score the goal, so they don’t expect the flick. Usually, it’s too quick for the other team to react.”
Saint Ignatius continued to pin the Maroons in their own half for most of the half, as Lowe and forward Oscar Quinn-Pasin peppered University goalkeeper James Fry with chances.
Quinn-Pasin had an excellent opportunity to double Saint Ignatius’ advantage in the 25th minute, when he found himself through on the left wing following a nice give-and-go with midfielder David Jacobo. But his final touch took him too wide, and his shot was saved by a diving Fry.
The hosts found a little rhythm towards the end of the first half. In the 33rd minute, forward Dylan Sparrow found himself in on goal with an opportunity to level the game. However, Saint Ignatius goalkeeper Liam McConnell was quick off his line and able to make a sliding challenge on the ball just outside the box. University was unable to capitalize on the resulting throw-in.
After the halftime break, the Maroons reversed roles and dictated play. Midfielder Philip Kellermeier and forward Charlie Young were in sync, linking up slick passes to create space on the left wing.
“We built up a lot of chemistry throughout the season,” Kellermeier said. “It didn’t start that way, but these last two games, it’s been way better between us.”
Just as University’s fan base was reaching its greatest numbers and maximum volume, Young found himself with the Maroons’ best chance from the build-up, but his shot from 12 yards fell right into the arms of McConnell in the 47th minute.
Saint Ignatius rode out the University pressure, then went in search of an insurance goal. In the 69th minute, Saint Ignatius forward Christian Carr cut past one defender to take on another before he was taken down in the box. The referee awarded a penalty kick, but Lowe’s shot flew over the crossbar.
University’s Charlie Young continued to find himself in space out on the left wing, but he couldn’t use his speed to orchestrate any dangerous chances. Shortly after a last-gasp opportunity that resulted in Young being called offside, the horn sounded, declaring Saint Ignatius the victor by a final score of 1-0.
“It feels incredible,” said Matt Miller, head coach of Saint Ignatius. “We had some opportunities to get the game out of reach earlier on, but the perseverance and tenacity of the players was great. They ran their hearts out today.”
University head coach Josh Potter was incredibly proud of his team’s resiliency. He commended his players for the drive and determination they showed in the second half.
“Once our boys settled into the game, I feel like we really executed well, especially after halftime,” Potter said. “We took them out of their game plan, but they did a great job of keeping us out of the net.”
Kellermeier felt like his team deserved a goal for their efforts, but he and his teammates will hold their heads high when looking back at the accomplishments they have had this season.
“We really worked on building a close, tight community. We worked hard for each and every one of us on the field,” he said.
Saint Ignatius might not have been in the driver’s seat for most of the second half like it was in the opening few minutes, but their “bend, but don’t break” mentality was carried out dutifully by the very commanding Billy Thompson and the rest of Wolfpack defense.
“He’s probably one of the best defenders I’ve ever coached,” Miller said. “With his leadership, his overall ability to defend, and his threat in the air, he’s a tremendous player.”
When Saint Ignatius did move forward, they were able to do so with relative ease thanks to the creativity of holding midfielder David Jacobo and his mates.
“We’re like the composers of the whole orchestra,” Jacobo said. “At first, I tried to play it more possessive and keeping it in the back, but we realized that we needed to step it up a little bit, and in the second half it was much more back to front.”
Saint Ignatius’ offense may not have been as prolific as it was in its 4-2 victory against Westinghouse on Oct. 19, but this clean-sheet will go a long way towards establishing confidence heading into its St. Laurence Sectional semifinal against Chicago Public League regular-season and playoff champion Payton on Wednesday.
“The last few games in the regular-season and the first game in the playoffs, our defense was poor, to be honest,” Thompson said. “Getting back into the rhythm that we had with our defense in the early part of the season and keeping clean-sheets, it means a lot.”
Starting lineups
Saint Ignatius
GK Liam McConnell
D Nathan Schneider
D Lucas Hanna
D Billy Thompson
D Christian Rodriguez
MF David Jacobo
MF Jaxson Hanlon
MF Dillon Kraft
MF Jack Lowe
MF Tyler Masseur
F Christian Carr
University (Chicago)
GK James Fry
D Jacob de Jong
D Tomasz Witkowski
D Frederick Pytel
D Kaden Moubayed
MF Milo Jarard
MF Philip Kellermeier
MF Joseph Wanner
F Samuel Beck
F Luca Todorov
F Charlie Young
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Billy Thompson, sr., D, Saint Ignatius
Scoring summary
First half
Saint Ignatius – Lowe (Thompson) 2nd minute
Second half
No scoring