The Wildcat Sports Report is your weekly roundup of the biggest moments in SI athletics. From thrilling victories to program milestones and community highlights, we bring you the stories that showcase the spirit of our Wildcats
 

Field Hockey Crowned SCVAL Champions After Thrilling Win Over Los Gatos


On Thursday, October 30, the Wildcats Field Hockey Team faced Los Gatos in the SCVAL "Play-In" Game. This season, the SCVAL was divided into two divisions — the De Anza and the El Camino. St. Ignatius captured the De Anza Division title following a win over Valley Christian on Tuesday, October 28, while Los Gatos claimed the El Camino Division crown.

The "Play-In" Game was created to determine seeding for the top eight teams entering the CCS Championship Tournament. As the No. 1 seeds from their respective divisions, SI and Los Gatos met to decide which team would earn the overall No. 1 seed in the CCS Division I playoffs.

In dramatic fashion, the Wildcats came from behind to win 3-2, scoring twice in the final three minutes of play. Olivia Van de Braak netted the game-tying goal, and Sophie Ghosh delivered the game-winner to secure both the SCVAL Championship and the top CCS playoff seed for SI.

With the victory, the Wildcats entered the CCS Division I Playoffs as the No. 1 seed. They opened the tournament with a dominant 8-1 win over Palo Alto in the first round and will advance to face St. Francis on Saturday, November 8th in the CCS Semifinals at Fairmont Field.

Girls Varsity Tennis Wins Third Straight WCAL Title


Congratulations to the 2025 Girls Varsity Tennis Team on capturing their third consecutive WCAL championship! After graduating two senior starters, the Wildcats entered the season with a new look—welcoming several JV call-ups and a standout freshman.

Early in the year, the team faced tough competition and some growing pains, but their resilience quickly became their trademark. Guided by Coach Jess, the girls embraced "grit" as their season motto—fighting for every point, lifting each other up, and growing stronger with each match. Their unity and determination shined brightest during a memorable Palm Springs trip, where they earned impressive wins over Xavier Prep and powerhouse Palm Desert.

The Wildcats closed out the regular season 19–5 overall and a perfect 10–0 in league play. As they gear up for CCS playoffs, we celebrate this special group and our eight amazing seniors: Michela Carlevaris, Olivia Matagrano, Nicole Marangosian, Sophia Mock, Colby Heaton, Grace Gubbels, Kaija Walcott, and Claire Somsouk. A special shoutout to Sophia Mock, who has gone undefeated in league play (35–0) throughout her four years on varsity.

Varsity Football Rallies Past Valley Christian in Must-Win Game

In a game loaded with playoff implications, St. Ignatius rose to the challenge on Halloween night, defeating Valley Christian 24–14 to keep its postseason hopes alive.

After falling behind 7–0 early, the Wildcats stormed back with 24 unanswered points to seize control before closing out the game in victory formation. The win boosted SI's chances for one of the final CCS playoff berths, while dealing Valley Christian a critical setback in its own playoff pursuit.

Senior quarterback Caedon Afsharipour led the offensive charge, throwing for 140 yards, rushing for 50 more, and accounting for all three SI touchdowns — two through the air and one on the ground. Senior kicker Thomas McKeon added a 38-yard field goal in the second quarter to extend the lead.

Defensively, senior end Tucker Jones anchored a relentless effort up front, finishing with 4 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery. The Wildcats' defense held Valley Christian scoreless for more than three quarters, setting the tone for a physical and disciplined performance.

"Survive and advance," the phrase made famous by NC State coach Jimmy Valvano in 1983, perfectly summed up the Wildcats' mindset. With their season on the line, SI did exactly that.

Looking ahead, the Wildcats close out the regular season against Sacred Heart Cathedral in a Bruce-Mahoney rivalry matchup packed with playoff implications. The game kicks off at 6 p.m. at historic Kezar Stadium.  Tickets can be purchased here.

Cross Country Honors 11 Seniors at WCAL Championships


The St. Ignatius Cross Country program celebrated its 11 seniors on Wednesday at the WCAL #3 Championship Meet at Crystal Springs. Congratulations to seniors Natalie Bravo, Audrey Kronk, Madeline Murray, Beatrice Sopko, Kevin Chin, Joseph Dito, Anthony Gines, Aiden Guerrero, Niall McDermott, Dominic Regalia, and Chase Spolin for their dedication to the program.

The Wildcats marked the occasion with a series of impressive performances from both varsity squads. The varsity girls placed second overall, led by Sophomore Eliot Marsh (3rd, 18:10.1) and Freshman Kennedy Foster (9th, 19:08.4). Also scoring for SI were Farrah Almajdalani (11th, 19:24.7), Bella Riesenfeld (13th, 19:34.4), and Maya Guerra (20th, 20:22.6).

On the boys' side, the Wildcats were led by top-10 finishes from Seniors Niall McDermott (5th, 15:33.9) and Joseph Dito (10th, 15:44.5), with strong support from Kevin Chin (13th, 15:49.7), Ignacio Hoglund (14th, 15:52.9), and Gilbert Farnsworth (15th, 15:54.7).

Both the boys' and girls' varsity teams earned second-place finishes at the meet, securing league runner-up honors in the final WCAL standings. The Wildcats will now turn their focus to the CCS Championships on Saturday, November 15, where they'll compete for a berth to the CIF State Championships on November 29.

Full WCAL #3 results, including lower-level races, can be found here.



And that's a wrap for the Wildcat Sports Report -- Go 'Cats!