It started in tough, testing fashion. It ended dramatically. Cathedral High School 2022 boys soccer overcame injury, adversity and a difficult schedule. By season’s end, they were tournament tough and savvy. They also were of the state’s best teams. “It certainly was an interesting year,” Irish boys soccer coach Joel Russell said. “I couldn't be more proud of the boys.” The Irish finished the 2022 regular season with a 3-6-5 record and unranked in the Indiana Soccer Coaches Associat...

The Irish travelled to Seymour to take on Columbus North in Semi-State on Saturday. In a game marked by high winds, the Bull Dogs were able to capitalize on a cross/shot to open the scoring midway through the first half. Down 1-0 and pushing for the equalizer, the Irish gave up a counterattack to the Bulldogs who capitalized and increased their lead to 2-0 with three minutes to play. The Irish attack finally broke though with 28 seconds remaining in the game on a PK by sophomore forward Cal Kurzawa to close the gap to 2-1. In a crazy finish, the Irish ha...

The Irish travelled to #1 Carmel for chance to win their first 3A Regional title in school history. The Greyhounds pressured the Irish defense early but a quick counterattack by the Irish sent senior captain Josh Wesseling streaking down the right side where he coolly volleyed a bouncing ball past the Greyhounds GK to give the Irish a 1-0 lead at halftime. The Greyhounds continued to press the Irish defense but were frustrated for their efforts. An Irish defensive mistake late in the game gave the Greyhounds a free kick outside the box which they penaliz...

In a rematch of the 2021 Regional Semis, the Irish played #20 East Central on Wednesday. Travelling to East Central, the Irish looked to contain East Central’s 1st Team All-State forward, JT Roden. Scoreless at the half, Roden broke behind the Irish defense to put the Trojans ahead 1-0 early in the second half. The Irish were unable to generate a response until the waning moments of the game when sophomore forward Cal Kurzawa sent a pass in behind the defense to junior forward Ben Holmes, who calmly slotted it home to tie the game at 1-1. After an ...

The Irish played #8 Perry Meridian in the Sectional finals on Saturday. Freshman midfielder Quinn Bateman opened the scoring for the Irish off a throw in from junior defender Liam Fahey. The Irish dominated play in first half but were unable to extend their lead. The Falcons rebounded in the 2nd half and took control of the game. Finally breaking down the Irish defense, the Falcons scored off a restart to tie the game 1-1. The Irish defense dug deep to preserve the tie, featuring spectacular saves by sophomore GK Jett Wallmeier. Tied after regulation and...

The Irish played an organized, gritty Lawrence North team in the Sectional semis on Wednesday. The game was mostly played in midfield with neither team creating many scoring chances. In a game apparently destined for overtime, sophomore forward Cal Kurzawa broke through for the Irish scoring on a free kick from outside the box with 3 minutes to play in the game sealing a 1-0 Irish victory. The Irish move to play #8 Perry Meridian in the Sectional finals on Saturday.

The Irish opened IHSAA Sectional play against Southport on Tuesday. After a tense few opening minutes, the Irish settled down and got into a rhythm of play ultimately beating the Cardinals 4-0. The Irish scoring was led by senior captain Josh Wesseling with 2 goals and 1 assist and sophomore forward Cal Kurzawa with 2 goals and 1 assist. Junior defender Liam Fahey produced a fine assist on the first Wesseling goal. The Irish move on to play Lawrence North in the Sectional semis on Wednesday.

The Irish hosted Covenant Christian in the City semis and played to a convincing 4-0 victory. The Irish dominated play before senior captain Josh Wesseling opened the scoring midway through the half and then added a second goal before halftime. Sophomore forward Cal Kurzawa and junior midfielder Belachew Neal rounded out the Irish scoring. The Irish move on to play #15 Arsenal Tech in the City final on Wednesday.

Your #1 City tournament seeded Irish hosted Scecina in a City quarterfinal match up. From the opening whistle, the Irish offense exploded over the Crusaders scoring 12 goals in the opening half. The Irish scoring included sophomore forward Calvin Kurzawa with 4 goals and 2 assists, senior forward Cayler Johnson with 3 goals and 1 assist, freshman midfielder Quinn Bateman with 2 goals and 1 assist, junior midfielder Landon Korous with 1 goal and his first for the Irish, senior captain Josh Wesseling with 1 goal and 2 assists, and freshman Alden Chan with ...

The Irish hosted #1 Carmel on Thursday. Two defensive mistakes midway through the first half resulted in Greyhounds goals. Trailing 2-1 at the half, the Irish battled back as senior captain, Josh Wesseling was taken down in the box for an Irish penalty kick. Sophomore forward, Cal Kurzawa, converted the PK but it was too little too late as the Irish fell 4-1 to Carmel. The Irish move on to City tournament play on Saturday hosting Scecina in a City quarterfinal match up.

The Irish hosted Roncalli on Senior Night. Senior night is a great tradition at Cathedral to honor senior players and their families for time spent with Cathedral soccer. Senior GK Jack Lefebvre made some tremendous saves during the opening moments to keep the gamed tied at zeros. The Rebels finally broke the tie midway through the first half on a shot from outside the box. Trailing 1-0 at half, senior captains Josh Wesseling and Ayrton Graziano put the team on their backs with Wesseling scoring two great goals off Graziano assists to cap off senior nigh...

The Irish broke out of their slump with a 3-2 win at Southport on Tuesday. Knotted 0-0 at the half, sophomore Cal Kurzawa came alive with two 2nd half goals off assists from senior Josh Wesseling. Junior Belachew Neal increased the Irish lead with a great header from a junior Liam Fahey throw-in. Southport made the game close with 2 late goals but were outmatched and outplayed by the Irish. The Irish next take on south side rival Roncalli on Senior Night on Thursday.

The Irish hosted #10 ranked Brownsburg on Saturday. In a back-and-forth scoring game that featured two Irish penalty kicks, the Irish could never get on the front foot and trailed the Bulldogs all game. Brownsburg ultimately came away with a deserved 5-4 victory over the Irish. Senior captain, Ayrton Graziano led the Irish with 2 goals and sophomore defender Gavin Bateman scored his first career goal for the Irish in the loss. The Irish host #1 Carmel on Thursday to conclude their regular season play.

The Irish travelled to Ft. Wayne Homestead on Saturday with hopes of getting back into the win column. Junior midfielder Belachew Neal put the Irish up 1-0 on a clinical finish from a sophomore Cal Kurzawa cross. The Irish appeared to have the win sealed before giving up a late counter attacking goal to Homestead to tie 1-1. The Irish next travel to Southport on Tuesday.

 

The Irish opened the scoring against #2 ranked Brebeuf Jesuit on a great goal by junior Belachew Neal. Seemingly in control of the game and looking to increase their lead, Brebeuf capitalized on a series of Irish mistakes to storm back and take control of the game and the lead at 4-1. Brebeuf junior Ben Haneline highlighted the Braves scoring with an absolute laser from 40 yards over sophomore GK Jett Wallmeier and into the far corner for a “Goal of the Year” contender. Neal added a 2nd goal to close the gap to 4-2 in the dying moments of the...