Championship Pedigree
St. Ignatius enters the fall riding an extraordinary wave of success, having captured an unprecedented six straight Ohio Division I state championships and a record 14 state titles overall (with 13 Division I crowns as of last season). Under the guidance of legendary head coach Mike McLaughlin ’85, who begins his 31st season at the helm, the Wildcats have redefined what’s possible in Ohio and national high school soccer. Coach McLaughlin reached his 500th career win in 2023 and currently holds a gaudy overall record of 526-61-58 while amassing 34 Coach of the Year honors. His commitment to the school’s mission and to the lifelong growth of his players remains a pillar of Ignatius soccer’s success.

Leadership and Experience
This year’s team will be anchored by an experienced and talented group of four captains:

Bryce Ince-Lovelace (Ohio State commit)

Sammy Trivisonno (Ohio State commit)

Declan Walters

Domenic Ruggiero

Both Ince-Lovelace and Trivisonno have etched their names into Ignatius soccer lore—not only as field generals but as clutch performers. Ince-Lovelace secured last year’s state title with a dramatic goal in double overtime, while Trivisonno scored a walk-off winner in the state semifinals, earning his spot among Ohio’s elite. Their leadership, combined with Walters and Rugiero’s presence on and off the pitch, ensures the Wildcats will maintain their trademark standard: tough, united, and relentlessly ambitious.

Talent Pipeline
The Wildcats boast one of the deepest squads in the region. With both Ince-Lovelace and Trivisonno set to take their talents to Ohio State and rising talents preparing to step into larger roles, St. Ignatius continues to attract and develop the Midwest’s best soccer talent. The program’s reputation and support system help propel student-athletes not just to trophies, but also to the next level and beyond.

Tradition and Community
This golden anniversary year will be marked with special celebrations, including an alumni game on August 16, inviting generations of Cats back to Wasmer Field to honor five decades of lasting impact on and off the pitch. These events highlight the Wildcat

“brotherhood”

—a unique bond that, as Coach McLaughlin often notes, is as central to their success as skill or tactics. The program takes pride in not just developing elite soccer players, but in nurturing young men who live out the Ignatius mission.

Outlook
With a championship core returning, exceptional leadership, and a legacy of success to inspire them, the 2025 Wildcats are poised to honor their half-century tradition the best way they know how—by playing for each other, for the school, and for history. As St. Ignatius kicks off this milestone season, expectations remain sky-high, but so does belief: this brotherhood only grows stronger with age.

For more information, schedules, and updates on the Wildcats’ 50th anniversary celebrations, visit the official St. Ignatius Soccer website and follow the program on social media.