Who could have foreseen that Ignatius would win another state soccer title?

 
The cancer that permeated the football program has not metasized into other Ignatius sports programs. This will sound heretical to the alums who worship at the Ignatius football program altar, but soccer is now the pre-eminent sport at Ignatius. It would not be unreasonable to say that McLaughlin is now the most successful coach in Ignatius history. McLaughlin has won 14 state titles (in the last 21 years) compared to Kyle's 13.
 
Makes high school a bit easier when you bring dudes in from other countries every year! Don’t get me wrong it is the way the game is going but in semis it took you OT to beat a team from olentangy! Just saying it’s more like a college program than a high school program. Congrats to Iggy and St. Charles because watching the tournament I did think they were the best 2 D1 schools
 
Splus04 said:
Makes high school a bit easier when you bring dudes in from other countries every year! Don’t get me wrong it is the way the game is going but in semis it took you OT to beat a team from olentangy! Just saying it’s more like a college program than a high school program. Congrats to Iggy and St. Charles because watching the tournament I did think they were the best 2 D1 schools
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Being in NE Ohio, this current run of titles has been fueled by the thoughts of many 7th/8th grade parents in the area that if your son wants to play high level college soccer Ignatius is where you need to go. McLaughlin is a very good coach, but more important he is extremely well connected with the college soccer coaching community and he does an outstanding job looking out for his kids. Many of the elite U13-U14 players in the area would love to play for their current school and their friends but they know if they want to play collegiate soccer down the road many local HS can't help them in soccer recruiting. McLaughlin's summer camps are widely attended by kids in the area to get familiar with the program and he has done an excellent job building the program he has so hats off. I hate it as a public school supporter but I get it why. With the expansion of D1 scholarships, as he long as he remains there they may attract more and get even stronger.
 
Hey I am not disagreeing with anything that has been said and still congratulating them. I know McLaughlin is very good at what he does. We have coached against each other in the past. He worked his tail off to get the program where it needs to be. It can’t be denied though once he started bringing in kids from outside the NE area is when the program really took off.
 
Splus04 said:
Hey I am not disagreeing with anything that has been said and still congratulating them. I know McLaughlin is very good at what he does. We have coached against each other in the past. He worked his tail off to get the program where it needs to be. It can’t be denied though once he started bringing in kids from outside the NE area is when the program really took off.
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IDK. Knowing his last several rosters pretty well they were almost all kids who developed and played growing up locally at Spire (formerly Pennine/Evolution), TCFC, Croatia and Force through their development years. Watched them all play for years. Their players of the year Folds, Pechota, Spicer all Cleveland Area. Many of the best kids are electing to attend Iggy for the best chance to play after HS.
 
I'm genuinely curious to know what the mindset of every other D1 school in the area and state knowing that if they want to win a state championship, they'll have to go through Ignatius, who has won six straight titles???
 
abc123bca said:
I'm genuinely curious to know what the mindset of every other D1 school in the area and state knowing that if they want to win a state championship, they'll have to go through Ignatius, who has won six straight titles???
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How is it any different than a wrestling team going up against St. Paris Graham? Or a swim team against St. X? If you love the sport, you participate and do your best.
 
It will be interesting to see how much longer Mike McLaughlin chooses to coach, now that his youngest is graduating. Obviously, he got into coaching (and teaching) there long before he had kids, but I wonder if he'll stay there long past his boys all graduating.
 
soccerdad72 said:
It will be interesting to see how much longer Mike McLaughlin chooses to coach, now that his youngest is graduating. Obviously, he got into coaching (and teaching) there long before he had kids, but I wonder if he'll stay there long past his boys all graduating.
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I think that he'll continue to be at Ignatius and coaching soccer there for a long time.
He's an alum, graduating from Ignatius in '85 and so that means he's ~57. He's been at the school for 33 years (30 years as soccer HC), is the Theology Dept Chair and directs the important Sophomore Service program, which are fundamental components of the Ignatian education. He has an important role and much like Chuck Kyle, he's a "lifer" at the school. As long as he has good health and the energy for it, he'll be coaching.
 
Feel like St. I's is similar to a basketball prep school. In that general area, go to St. I's to play soccer. Almost not even fair for the rest of the state to try and compete. But the playing rules allow it.
 
Uticapenn said:
Being in NE Ohio, this current run of titles has been fueled by the thoughts of many 7th/8th grade parents in the area that if your son wants to play high level college soccer Ignatius is where you need to go. McLaughlin is a very good coach, but more important he is extremely well connected with the college soccer coaching community and he does an outstanding job looking out for his kids. Many of the elite U13-U14 players in the area would love to play for their current school and their friends but they know if they want to play collegiate soccer down the road many local HS can't help them in soccer recruiting. McLaughlin's summer camps are widely attended by kids in the area to get familiar with the program and he has done an excellent job building the program he has so hats off. I hate it as a public school supporter but I get it why. With the expansion of D1 scholarships, as he long as he remains there they may attract more and get even stronger.
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Well, you do have to make it through Iggy's rigorous academic standards. So, there is that too. I know that OSU soccer likes Iggy's players too and that team seems to be doing pretty well. Clearly, soccer (and hockey) are important to the school. I am sure it helps with recruiting students. Good players want to play with good players. As a Buckeye fan, I say get as many as we can.
 
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BASESWIMPARENT said:
Well, you do have to make through Iggy's rigorous academic standards. So, there is that too. I know that OSU soccer likes Iggy's players too and that team seems to be doing pretty well. Clearly, soccer (and hockey) is important to the school. I am sure it helps with recruiting students. Good players want to play with good players. As a Buckeye fan, I say get as many as we can.us
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FYI there are two more Ignatius players going on to play for the Buckeyes next year: DI player of the year Marty McLaughlin and All-State Justus Olorunto.
 
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