Tag Archive for: Fighting Irish

HILLTOPPERS GROUND GAME TOO MUCH FOR IRISH

Ravenna, OH- In a highly anticipated matchup between 2 powerhouse programs, the Ursuline Fighting Irish faced off against the Chardon Hilltoppers in a Division 3 matchup that ultimately ended in a 31-14 victory for Chardon.

The first quarter set the tone as Vinny Columbi’s 5-yard touchdown run capped a 70-yard drive, putting Chardon ahead 7-0. Ursuline quickly responded with Joe Balog’s 5-yard TD run, tying the game at 7-7 with 2:42 left in the quarter.

Chardon seized an opportunity in the second quarter, recovering a fumble at Ursuline’s 24-yard line. AJ Bruce’s 13-yard carry set up Vinny Columbi’s 1-yard TD run, giving Chardon a 14-7 lead at halftime.

The third quarter saw Chardon extend their lead with Sam Sacerich’s 27-yard field goal, making it 17-7. However, Ursuline fought back, with Jack Ericson connecting with DC Ferrell on a 13-yard TD pass to narrow the gap to 17-14.

As the game entered the fourth quarter, Chardon continued to press their advantage. Caleb Hewitt’s 34-yard TD run extended their lead to 24-14. Ursuline, facing a crucial drive from their own 35, stalled at the Chardon 38, turning the ball over on downs with 9:45 remaining.

Chardon capitalized on the opportunity, as AJ Bruce’s 13-yard TD run sealed the victory with a final score of 31-14. Ursuline’s attempt to mount a comeback ended with a sack of Ericson on 4th down at the Chardon 33, sealing their fate.

With this loss, the Ursuline Fighting Irish concluded their season with a record of 13-1, while the Chardon Hilltoppers (11-3) advanced to the Division 3 state semi-final against the Toledo Central Catholic Fighting Irish in week 14.

HEADED HOME: URSULINE FIGHTING IRISH BASEBALL PREVIEW

YOUNGSTOWN, OH – The Ursuline Irish are coming off a heavy senior driven class a year ago as head coach, Matt Weymer looks to lead this year’s squad onto the diamond at the end of the month!

Coach Weymer is looking to “re-stack the deck” after losing six starters from a year ago. One key starter returning is Brady Shannon, who recently committed to the University of Central Florida. Coach Weymer will look to lean on Brady in multiple ways this year, whether its playing multiple positions, multiple spots in the batting order, or for leadership throughout the season. Jonah Kirchner is another returner that Coach Weymer is excited about as he will handle a lot of pitching opportunities this season. Two new faces to look out for on the diamond this year will be middle infielder, Luca Ricchiuti, and the first baseman/pitcher Drew Kirila.

The standard at Ursuline is always high and Coach Matt Weymer always expects the most from his team as he is known to set the bar pretty high. For Ursuline, it is all about the tournament, Coach Weymer scheduled certain teams to push these young men, so they can be ready for anything that might be thrown their way during the OHSAA state baseball tournament at the end of the season!

*Contributed by Billy McCartney

 

URSULINE IRISH BASKETBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP. 3) WITH KEITH GUNTHER

YOUNGSTOWN, OH – The Ursuline Fighting Irish are playing very high level basketball as they are currently on a seven game winning streak! The Fighting Irish, under head coach Keith Gunther, are 8-3 overall after winning a tightly contested ball game over Youngstown East, 67-66, last Friday night! Ursuline will look to continue their winning streak this week as they will have three games, up first will be a game against the Chaney Cowboys on Tuesday night, Thursday night will see the Irish take on the Cardinal Mooney Cardinals, and on Friday night the Badger Braves will come to town.

YSN’s own, Steve Leslie, was able to sit down via video chat this week with Coach Gunther to talk about the Irish winning streak, how he and his staff are able to continue the successful season so far while maintaining focus every night, what his thoughts are for what the Irish need to do to extend their streak, and what Coach’s preview is for this jam packed week of basketball games!

All that and much more on this week’s episode of Ursuline Fighting Irish basketball coach’s corner with head coach Keith Gunther!

 

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URSULINE FOOTBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP. 3) WITH DAN REARDON

YOUNGSTOWN, OH – It is no secret to anyone in the Youngstown area, the Ursuline vs Cardinal Mooney football game is always one of the most anticipated games in the Mahoning Valley and nobody knows that better than head coach Dan Reardon. This week, his Ursuline Fighting Irish squad will take the field in Stambaugh Stadium as the home team, looking to repeat what they accomplished last season and knock off Cardinal Mooney again.

YSN’s own “Holy War” expert, Steve Leslie, had the opportunity to chat with Coach Reardon this week to talk about the “Holy War” and what his mindset is going into this week six match up, but also what Ursuline needs to do to get some momentum before the playoffs start, and any insight Coach might have for us involving the playoffs and where he thinks the Irish might line up in the bracket.

All that and more in this week’s episode of Ursuline Fighting Irish Football Coach’s Corner with head coach, Dan Reardon!

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[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEwWvyQmIOM[/embedyt]

MOONEY WINS INSTANT CLASSIC AGAINST RIVAL URSULINE

You can find dozens of metaphors and definitions for makes a great rivalry. In the end, these games just mean more. And when it means more, the best often comes out of the coaches, and especially the players.

Mooney and Ursuline have decades of tradition between them, hard fought victories and intense competition. Those things, along with the toughness only a rivalry like this one can bring, were on full display tonight as the Lady Cardinals played host to the Fighting Irish.

The action started fast, with both teams exchanging 3 pointers to start. But the trademark for Mooney has always been their defense, and it quickly locked in on the Irish and held them to just 10 points in the first quarter. The Cardinals led by 5. However, the second quarter was not nearly as lopsided. In the quarter, Mooney scored 8 to Ursuline’s 7, led mostly by junior Katie Hough. Hough flirted with a double double for most of the game, and was exceptional from the free throw line, 7 of 9. Drama hit at the very end of the quarter however, as Gia Diorio for Mooney and Paris Gilmore for Ursuline both left the court with injuries. The two had been matched up on one another for the majority of the night.

Both Paris and Gia sat for most of the third quarter, but two more players would need medical attention. Alaina Scavina dealt with a lower leg injury, as did Rachel Fabry for the Irish. Ursuline, down two starters, would go on a run to cut the deficit to 3, but Maria Fire, a freshman thrust into action, played a huge role in Mooney retaking and maintaining a 5 point lead into the fourth. Fire had 6 points off the bench and 2 huge blocks.

Paris and Gia returned to the court, in what might be the most perfect and moving image to symbolize the Holy War rivalry. Paris, visibly limping and in pain, being guarded by Diorio, who had a severely taped left wrist which she couldn’t even dribble with, was truly a sight to behold. Scavina and Fabry also returned, making it four girls total fighting through the pain. That’s just how much it means.

The game, however, was simply taken over by Katie Hough. Her prolific free throw shooting and phenomenal defense were just too much for the Irish. Hough would finish with 17 points, 9 rebounds and 3 steals. Not to be outdone, senior Catie Perry had 6 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 steals, her hustle and on ball defense coming up huge down the stretch. But the same could be said for every girl who stepped foot on the court this game. The Irish and Cardinals laid it all on the court in the name of this rivalry. And despite the fact one team had to lose, everyone knows when it comes to Mooney and Ursuline, it’s never truly over.

This chapter of the Holy War goes too Mooney, a final score of 43-31.

 

IRISH DEFENSE SHINES AGAINST MOONEY

AKRON, OHIO – Through the the last two games, the Fighting Irish of St. Vincent St. Mary high school had forced seven turnovers. And it was that exact defense that paved the way for their win against the 2-1 Mooney Cardinals.

Both teams came out early with similar gameplans, run the football! It’s the staple of any Mooney offense, but the Cardinals struggled mightly in the first half to get anything going. After the Irish took their first offensive possession into the endzone, a touchdown run by running back George Linberger, the Cardinals would go three and out despite very good field position. The second offensive drive for the Irish was ended abruptly when Pat Guerrieri picked off Luke Lindsay in the endzone. Depsite Guerrieri taking the interception all the way back, a penalty negated the return.

The second quarter saw more breathing room for the sophomore running back Zy’ere Rogers, who after the first half had already carried the ball 17 times for 75 yards. Rogers ripped off big run after big run, but a fumble inside the 20 yard line ended the best offensive drive Mooney had all game. St Vincent would tack on another rushing touchdown, this one by Joshua Nickerson, and lead 14-0 at the half.

Challenged by his coaches, Guerrieri came out slinging in the second half. After not completing a pass the game before, Guerrieri would finish with 122 yards passing on 11 of 16 attempts. But this Irish defense has lived through turnovers, and in the second half they started to pile up. Another fumble, and a pick six by Darrian Lewis would seal the deal for Irish. The Irish would finish with 415 yards of total offense, 5 total rushing touchdowns and two sacks. Senior QB Luke Lindsay had 196 through the air and also added 17 yards on the ground.

Mooney will look to rebound next week against bitter rival, the Boardman Spartans, and SVSM will take on Hoban.