Cathedral Clinches Second State Soccer Championship

Their streak of consecutive postseason matches without surrendering a goal came to end this past weekend in Indianapolis, but it did nothing to deter the resolve and determination of the Cathedral Fighting Irish girls soccer team.

Defeating South Bend St. Joseph’s 2-1 in the state semifinals at Kuntz Stadium Saturday afternoon, the Irish capped a memorable season with an IHSAA state-championship clinching 2-0 shutout against Fort Wayne Snider to hoist their second state title trophy in three years.

“I was pretty proud of the girls two years ago, particularly that senior class,” Cathedral coach Marc Behringer said. “This senior class, now having two state championships before they graduate, that’s really something special. These girls have really worked hard. I’m really proud of them all.”

Champions as sophomores in 2007, the Cathedral seniors weren’t about to let another opportunity at a state title slip away.

Eliminated at the semistate level last season, senior forwards Mariah Whitaker and Anna Ventimiglia powered the Irish offense in the state semifinal match.

Ventimiglia put the Irish up 1-0 with an unassisted goal in the match’s 11th minute before Whitaker, who had anterior crucial ligament reconstructive surgery eight months ago, broke a 1-1 deadlock in the 74th minute to propel Cathedral into the title match with Fort Wayne.

“All year long you could sense this senior class just wanted to finish it the right way,” Behringer said.

Once the Irish reached the championship, they dominated.

Suffocating Fort Wayne with their stubborn defense, Cathedral allowed a mere one shot per half.

Through the postseason, Cathedral outscored the competition 24-1, posting six consecutive shutouts before an Ellen Bachmannhuff goal in the 67th minute of the state semifinals at Kuntz Stadium halted the squad’s run at perfection.

Cathedral posted 17 shutouts in 25 matches. First-year goalkeeper Cara Fitzgerald logged five saves at state to up her season total to 45.

“Cara was incredible in the goal for us the whole year,” Behringer said. “Our defensive group gelled together so incredibly well. To give up one goal the entire tournament is quite a feat.”

The Cathedral offense was equally as impressive in the championship match, tallying 20 shots and six shots on goal.

Junior Sophie Spenia and sophomore Jasmine Whitaker supplied the offense in the championship. Spenia scored first in the game’s third minute. Whitaker lined a header into the net at the 70-minute mark.

Both goals were assisted by Ventimiglia, who along with Mariah Whitaker, Jennifer Collins, Kyra Riggins, Spenia and Katie Wacker all were also part of the 2007 state championship squad.

“It really was a team that won the state championship,” Behringer said. “We’re really proud. To get through this tournament is an amazing thing. We had that experience two years ago. For the senior class to come back and just missed a final four last year, they set the bar pretty high for classes to follow. I’m so happy for all the girls and the seniors.”

The Irish finished the season with a 19-4-2 record.

Photos courtesy of Jeff Rider/INHSPHOTOS.COM