By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
All season, Springfield Catholic has sought to prove it’s one of the best teams not just locally, but in the state.
Regardless of classification.
“(Being Class 2), it kind of opens the door more, but I feel like if we were still in Class 3 we would have the same expectations,” said Catholic senior defender and co-captain Ben Mulherin. “I feel like we could still win (state) there.”
The first stage of Springfield Catholic’s championship pursuit – in Class 2 – has been cleared.
The Irish, coming off back-to-back district titles in Class 3, hoisted the local Class 2 district crown on Thursday night. Catholic was impressive in all aspects of a 4-0 home win over Logan-Rogersville in the Class 2 District 5 Tournament finals.
“It’s definitely relieving, but we’re not finished at all,” said Luke Butler, a senior co-captain and forward for the Irish. “We’re still hungry and we’re ready to go get the next plaque.”
Catholic extended its 1-0 halftime lead with three second-half goals.
The Irish, as they have against most opponents this season, poured it on with a pick-your-poison attack.
Tyler Holum had a brace (34’, 67’). Ethan Moellering (53’) and Luke Butler (62’) found the back of the net as well.
“It’s coming from everywhere, not just one guy,” said Catholic coach Tom Davidson. “Luke (Butler) and Tyler (Holum) have the big numbers, but there’s so many other guys who have seven, eight or nine goals.
“It’s coming from corner kicks, it’s coming from set plays, PKs, crosses.”
Catholic (27-1 overall) has scored at least two goals in 26 of its 28 matches this season.
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“We always show up. No matter who we’re playing, no matter how good the team is, no matter how bad the team is. We’re always going to show up and give it our all,” Butler said. “And the depth on our bench really helps, too.
“We have players up top where, if we get tired, we always have someone to come in off the bench and do just as good. It’s really important for us.”
Holum got the Irish on the board late in the first half against a Logan-Rogersville squad that was playing in its defensive third for most of the match.
Moellering jumpstarted Catholic’s second-half surge with a goal in 53rd minute. On the play, Irish midfielder Danny Proctor juked a defender on the left side and slid a pass to the middle for Sam Passanise, who touched it over to Moellering on the right for a one-timer finish.
Proctor also had the assist on Butler’s goal about 10 minutes later that made it 3-0.
“Our pressure, in the midfield especially, just kind of starts to wear (teams) down,” Davidson said. “Finally, everything starts to open up.”
Goalkeeper Tyler Fischer and the Catholic defense secured their 16th shutout of the season.
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Catholic will host its Class 2 quarterfinal match on Saturday, Nov. 15 against the District 6 winner. The Irish will be looking to atone for last season’s home loss in the same round.
“I’ve been kind of harping on our kids, ‘Remember that feeling? Somebody coming here and beating you?’” Davidson said. “I feel like it’s kind of stuck.
“The thing I’m proud of more than anything with them: We’ve handled this season one game at a time. Now, if we can get past this quarterfinal, then it’s two more games to go. That’s going to be our focus this next week – getting through that quarterfinal game.”
Logan-Rogersville finishes 21-4 overall. The Wildcats had 20 or more wins for the fourth straight season, highlighted by back-to-back district titles and final four appearances in 2023 and 2024.
