By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
As deadly as Springfield Catholic’s attack can be, it’s the defensive intensity and focus that really sets this year’s Irish apart.
Wherever the ball goes, Catholic (17-1 overall, No. 1 in Class 2 soccer power rankings) always has multiple players ready to flow and lock down.
“The kids have bought into playing defense all over the field. If you watch us much, there’s always two or three guys around the ball all the time,” said Catholic coach Tom Davidson. “We’re hoping that’s going to be our calling card.”
Tuesday night’s 3-1 home win over district foe Logan-Rogersville was the latest impressive outing for a Catholic team that’s lived up to high expectations in 2025.
The Irish have outscored opponents 82-6 while recording 12 shutouts. The lone blemish was a 1-0 loss at Class 4 Ozark.
Catholic has nine starters and five double-digit goal scorers back from last season’s 23-win, district championship squad. Catholic also moved down from Class 3 to Class 2 this season, which provides a favorable boost for any state title aspirations.
“That reality opened up to us, but it put a little chip on our shoulder, too,” said Catholic senior Matthew Gerety. “We were really eager to play in Class 3 this year. The fact that we got moved down, we’re more eager than ever to give it our best shot.”
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Against a one-loss Logan-Rogersville team the Irish could play again in districts next month, Catholic faced early adversity. Logan-Rogersville went ahead 1-0 in the 13th minute as Wildcats junior Malcom Jones finished a well-placed low cross from Finlee Smith.
Trailing is unfamiliar territory for a Catholic team that’s won decisively in most of its matches this season.
“Honestly, I wish there would have been a few more times,” Davidson said of the deficit. “This is pretty late in the season for that to happen. For us to be able to put three (goals) on them after that, that’s a testament to the kids we have.”
Catholic took control in the ensuing 60 minutes and smothered out Logan-Rogersville’s upset hopes. The Irish leveled the match on Tyler Holum’s goal in the 32nd minute, off a long feed from Finley Young.
Three minutes into the second half, Catholic went up 2-1 when Gerety scored on a rebound after his initial header was blocked.
“Early on tonight, we weren’t defending in the midfield the way we typically do. Once that turned over, the game changed,” Davidson said.
Holum earned the brace when he headed in a feed from Gerety in the 53rd minute to push the Irish advantage to 3-1.
“I saw our striker Luke (Butler) drive through and I knew he was going to get the ball to Gerety,” Holum said. “As soon as I saw Gerety look up, I knew if I made a run to the back post he’d find me. And he did.
“(The aerial) game really opens up the plays we can do on offense and the opportunities we can get. Especially when teams play defensive, we can go over the top and win in the air.”
Said Davidson about Catholic’s air play: “Ben and Lucas Mulherin, in the back, are just monsters back there. It’s another phase we do a good job with.”
Logan-Rogersville (14-2 overall) had scored three or more goals in 14 of its matches before Wednesday’s loss.
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With three weeks left in the regular season, the Irish have become a circled opponent on every team’s schedule. They’re embracing the challenge.
“They see our record, and they want to play their best game against us and get whatever little piece they can get,” Gerety said. “We love that. We love the competition. We’re ready for every game.”
Said Holum: “It’s an honor to get every team’s best game. Some teams don’t get every team’s best game… Knowing people look at us and see us as a legitimate team, it’s a big challenge but we’re glad to have it.”
