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The Fighting Irish of Indianapolis Cathedral won their second girls soccer state championship in three years as they defeated the Fort Wayne Snider Panthers, 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.

The Irish (18-4-2) 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 the Panthers 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 of 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 backline would continue their dominance, having allowed only one goal in seven post-season games. 

The young Panther squad dispatched of defending champion Evansville Memorial (21-3) in the semifinal game, 1-0.  Coach Jim LaBorde led Snider to a final record of 17-4-3.  Cathedral defeated South Bend St. Joseph’s (21-2-1) by a 2-1 score en route to the championship game.  The Fighting Irish, coached by Marc Behringer, finished the season at 19-4-2.

EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL’S KATIE LOEHR NAMED MENTAL ATTITUDE WINNER
Katie Loehr of Evansville Memorial High School was named winner of the 2009 Mental Attitude Award for Girls Soccer by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee.

Loehr has been a member of the Student Council and Key Club for all four years, and 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 6.0 (out of 6.0) GPA. She was named to the ISCA (Indiana Soccer Coaches Association) All-State Academic Team her junior and senior years, and was recognized by the ICGSA (Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association) as Academic All-State.

Katie is the daughter of Tom and Connie Loehr of Evansville.  She plans on attending Purdue University to study Chemical Engineering.

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the IHSAA’s corporate partner, presented a scholarship check for $1,000.00 to Evansville Memorial High School in the name of Susan Ellsperman.  Since 1989, more than $575,000 in college scholarships have been presented by Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance to deserving high school students in Indiana.