Had St. Xavier defeated New Albany in the Division I state soccer semifinals last November, they would have earned a shot in the title game against Cleveland St. Ignatius.
Instead, New Albany got the 2-1 win only to lose 4-1 to St. Ignatius in the championship.
How might that match have gone had the Bombers advanced?
Well, if Sunday's Jesuit Cup final at St. Xavier was any indicator, perhaps not well. St. Ignatius won comfortably 6-1. On a muggy afternoon, both coaches cleared their benches when the game was all but decided in the waning moments
Tanner Creech's penalty kick with 3:17 remaining was the lone Bomber goal.
"This weekend is always a big barometer early on to give us an idea where we stand against some of the best teams in the state," St. Ignatius coach Mike McLaughlin said. "St. X is such a big rivalry game."
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The Bombers kept St. Ignatius scoreless for nearly 20 minutes until junior midfielder Nolan Spicer scored. Ten minutes later senior mid Will Armsworthy scored, then Spicer added another for the 3-0 halftime advantage.
Junior forward Zsombor Onodi tallied twice in the second half with a successful boot by senior mid Luciano Pechota sandwiched between Onodi celebrations.
"We're having fun," McLaughlin said after hoisting the traveling trophy. "There's lots of smiles on their faces. If you can take the pressure and turn it into fun, with a group of talent like this, good things happen."
Junior keeper Patrick McLaughlin warded off a header by St. Xavier junior Reece Heisel in the first half. In the second, he deflected a would-be goal from Pat Ahrens off a corner by deflecting it over the bar. Beyond that, Creech's free shot was the highlight, spoiling the shutout.
"It presents an opportunity to learn," St. Xavier coach Brian Schaeper said. "It's an opportunity early in the season to challenge yourself against the best. For us, it's a chance to grow. It's humility, which is a good thing to learn at this point in the season. There is a bar which is much higher than where we were today."
To be fair, not many Ohio schools have fared well against the Wildcats. Coach Mike McLaughlin is approaching 450 career wins. His team has not only been back-to-back state champions but they've also been named national champions in consecutive years according to Top Drawer Soccer.
The dynasty includes 10 total state championships and six national honors. After Sunday, the Wildcats have won 45 straight games. In last year's 21-0 campaign, they were only scored upon 10 times.
This season, goalkeeper McLaughlin has been the loneliest lad on the pitch for the most part as the Wildcats defense has seemingly formed a force field around the pipes.
"It's not just our back four, it's the idea that the moment we lose the ball, no matter where it is on the field, everybody becomes a defender and has to win the ball back," McLaughlin said.
Said St. Xavier's Schaeper, "There are quick moments that they just capitalize on. Their first three goals were all off restarts. If there's a turnover, they fly off of it. They really capitalize on those moments of transition and restart and that's how they were able to build up a lead."
St. Ignatius is now 4-0 now outscoring opponents 21-1. Many of their players have Division I offers and senior Pechota will be heading to Ohio State, where St. Xavier's Creech will join him. The two spent time together Saturday night.
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St. Xavier last defeated St. Ignatius four years ago, 4-2 in this same tournament. That was also the last time they won the Jesuit Cup. Last season was the Bombers' first regional title since 2008. They finished 16-3-2 after the state semifinal loss to New Albany.
St. Xavier's last state title in soccer came in 1983, but the reality is most of the state champions have been to the north since title games began back in 1974. Mason won in 2013. Before that, Alter won in 1987, Turpin in 1986, Centerville in 1984, the Bombers in '83 and Finneytown won in 1976 and 1974.
Including St. Xavier's Jesuit Cup opening win over St. John's Jesuit 2-0, the Bombers are now 2-1-1. Their Greater Catholic League-South opener is Thursday at La Salle.
"This one challenges us to bring our best for Thursday's match," Schaeper said.
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