2015-16 Class A State Finals Recap

October  31, 2015

Strong Offense Sends Mishawaka Marian to First Championship
A strong first half offensive performance lead Mishawaka Marian to their first soccer state championship in school history with a 3-0 victory over Cardinal Ritter. 

The Knights took control of the game early, outshooting Cardinal Ritter 12 to 1 in the first 40 minutes.  Marian’s Augustin Hartnagel, after surviving a collision with the keeper, found the back of the net on a header in the 15^th minute to start the scoring.  Fifteen minutes later, Sophomore Oscar Tavarez notched a goal to send the Knights into halftime up 2-0.

The second half started back and forth between the two teams, with no scoring for the first 25 minutes. That changed as the Knights added an insurance goal in the 75^th minute thanks to sophomore Jordan Morris’s shot from 15 yards out. From that point, the Knights were able to hold off the Raiders to ensure the school’s first soccer state championship.

Cardinal Ritter goalie, Jarred Horne, had 7 saves in the first half alone, but the offensive onslaught proved too much for the Raiders.  Mishawaka Marian controlled the tempo of the game, getting 13 shots on goal, to Ritter’s 3.  Marian goalie Michael Cataldo saved all three shots on goal in the game.

Mishawaka Marian, coached by Ben Householter, ended their state finals run with a record of 20-2. The Raiders and Head Coach Bashir Birany wrapped up their season with a final record of 16-7-1.

Keith Owen of Cardinal Ritter wins Mental Attitude Award
Keith Owen of Cardinal Ritter High School was named the winner of the 2015 Mental Attitude Award, sponsored by Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, for Boys Class A Soccer by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee.

The Raider’s team captain helped lead Cardinal Ritter to its first state finals appearance in school history. Keith was named Indiana Crossroads All-Conference as well as Coaches All City in his senior season.  He is a member of Ritter’s Service Learning group, National Honors Society, a student ambassador and a two-time One Bread, One Cup participant. He also volunteers with St. Malachy Youth Council.  The Indiana Crossroads All-Academic member was awarded the Adam Purichia Scholarship and was also the Theology Student of the Year at Cardinal Ritter.

The son of Everett and Paula Owen of Indianapolis, Keith plans to attend Indiana University next year to study education.