THUNDER BAY -- The Falcons are back on top.
After a dominating 4-0 win against the St. Patrick Saints, the St. Ignatius Falcons will wear the crown of city champions for the first time since 2014.
The result was just as telling the way the game played out. The Falcons held the Saints to just one shot on goal the entire game. They will end the season having outscored opponents 55-0.
The win avenges a finals loss against the Saints in 2016. Kevin Bai, who scored the first and fourth goals of the match, remembers the feeling.
“It was the worst feeling,” Bai said. “It was great to get this.”
Bai’s first goal came courtesy of his head, following a scrum at the 19-minute mark.
The Falcons spent most of the first half relying on their defense to preserve their lead.
“We pride ourselves on defence all year,” Falcons coach Frank Ianni said. “We defend by committee.”
The Saints’ lone chance came at the 51-minute mark, when a blast from Justin Kawei gave Eric Nisioiu a header right beside the goal, but he sent it wide.
That’s when the floodgates opened.
Anthony Valente fired a perfect ball downfield which Peter Pilato neatly took care of, rolling it by the Saints goalkeeper.
Michael Carpino and Kevin Bai each added a goal before the celebration ensued.
“We like to push in the second half because that’s when teams are a little tired,” Ianni said.
Both teams will have the opportunity to play in the provincial championship this year as Thunder Bay will host the OFSAA tournament, allowing for the runner-up Saints to play as the host.
The two teams joined together in a massive huddle, chanting “OFSAA, OFSAA” after the game ended.
“A lot of us are friends…" Bai said. "We play on the same [Thunder Bay] Chill team, so we’re really looking forward to going to OFSAA together.”
“Winning the city championship is huge, but we have to play OFSAA at home,” Ianni said.
