GSoc STATE FINALS: #9 Cathedral claims 2nd crown, 2-0 over #11 Snider

INDIANAPOLIS – Indianapolis Cathedral won its second girls soccer state championship in three years as the ninth-ranked Fighting Irish defeated No. 11 Fort Wayne Snider, 2-0, on Halloween night at Kuntz Stadium. 

This was the second meeting of the season for the two teams, the first match resulting in a 2-2 draw. It was the second straight trip to the championship game for the Panthers, who were defeated by Evansville Memorial in 2008.

Coached Marc Behringer’s Irish (19-4-2) struck quickly, scoring in the third minute on a goal by junior forward Sophie Spenia. Senior forward Anna Ventimiglia was credited with the assist, her 10th of the season. Cathedral’s stingy defense prevented coach Jim LaBorde’s Panthers (17-4-3) from taking any shots on goal during the first half.

Cathedral continued the offensive attack throughout the second half, outshooting Snider 20-2. Their persistence paid off when sophomore midfielder Jasmine Whitaker capitalized off a header from a cross by Ventimiglia. Ventimiglia was credited for both assists on the night, bringing her total to 11 on the season. 

Junior goalkeeper Cara Fitzgerald and the Fighting Irish back line would continue their dominance, having allowed only one goal in seven postseason games.

The young Panther squad upset No. 2 defending champion Evansville Memorial (21-3) in the semifinal game, 1-0. Likewise, Cathedral upset No. 4 South Bend St. Joseph’s (21-2-1) by a 2-1 score en route to the championship game.

Katie Loehr of Evansville Memorial was named winner of the 2009 Mental Attitude Award for Girls Soccer by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee.

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the IHSAA’s corporate partner, presented a scholarship check for $1,000 to the school in her name. Since 1989, more than $575,000 in college scholarships has been presented by Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance to deserving high school students in Indiana.

Loehr has been a member of the Student Council and Key Club all four years and a part of the National Honors Society and Mentor Program at Memorial for two years. She has been active in Youth Resources Community Service projects and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

Katie has earned three letters in soccer and was a starter for the 2008 state champion squad. Named team captain her senior year, Loehr tallied seven goals and 12 assists to close out her high school career.

Loehr is ranked first in her class and carries a perfect 6.0 GPA. She was named to the Indiana Soccer Coaches Association)’s All-State Academic Team her junior and senior years, and she was recognized by the Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association as Academic All-State. 

The daughter of Tom and Connie Loehr of Evansville plans on attending Purdue University to study chemical engineering.

Dates: Saturday, Oct. 31

Times: 12 p.m. ET semifinals, 8 p.m. ET championship

Admission: $8 per session, $12 all sessions

Kuntz Stadium, 1502 West 16th Street, lndianapolis 46202

Match 1 – #11 Fort Wayne Snider 1, #2 Evansville Memorial 0

Match 2 – #9 Indianapolis Cathedral 2, #4 South Bend St. Joseph’s 1

Championship – #9 Indianapolis Cathedral 2, #11 Fort Wayne Snider 0