DaytonDailyNews.com

COLUMBUS — The red eyes and pained expressions on the faces of the Beavercreek Beavers boys soccer team said it all. After a sensational run through the OHSAA playoffs, Beavercreek's dream of a Division I state title ended on the pristine pitch of Crew Stadium in Columbus.

In a battle of the top two teams in the state, Beavercreek fell 1-0 in the title match to the top-ranked Cleveland St. Ignatius Wildcats on Friday night, Nov. 7.

St. Ignatius senior captain Denio Leone had the only goal of the match, scoring with a decisive strike from up close in the 38th minute.

"We played great," Beavercreek senior captain Phil Wagner said. "We did everything we should.

"There's nothing you can do about (losing to) a great team like that."

Beavercreek (20-2-1) was never able to control the flow of play but with 26 minutes in the second half, they did begin to push forward in an effort to create more scoring chances. The Beavers' best opportunity to equalize came with just a minute remaining when Omotunji Badiru made a great run to the goal and sent a firm header wide of the St. Ignatius net.

"These kids have been tremendous all year long," Beavercreek coach John Guiliano said. "They've come back from two goals down, three goals down. We had our opportunities, we just couldn't put it in tonight."

The trip to the state final was the second in Beavercreek's history. They lost the final 1-0 in penalty kicks back in 1990.

St. Ignatius (19-1-3) has now won state three of the past five years, with consecutive victories in 2004 and '05.

"It feels awesome," Wildcats coach Mike McLaughlin said. "We've been here before but it's special every year. I'm really proud of them.

"And what a great team Beavercreek is. My hat's off to them."

After a good early spell by the Wildcats, St. Ignatius' Ryan Ivansic had a solid chance in the 26th minute when he pivoted at the top of box and shot, but his weak, left-footed strike was gathered comfortably by Beavercreek junior goalkeeper Ben Dorn.

Beavercreek had a sparkling opportunity minutes later, but Luke Sobota's effort from inside the area on a loose ball was blocked out of bounds by Wildcats defensive stopper Justin Cree.

Dorn had to come up big again after that with a diving save on a hard strike by Vaughn Spurrier that was headed for the top right corner.

But St. Ignatius took a 1-0 lead on the ensuing corner kick in the 38th minute.

Leone pounced on a loose ball headed in the area by Spurrier and quickly struck it low past Dorn.

"It was the biggest goal of my life," Leone said. "And it will never happen again."