Inline Hockey | 4/17/2025 11:17:00 AM

April 16, 2025 | Escondido, CA

The Cathedral Catholic Inline Hockey team closed out their 2025 season with a pair of hard-fought playoff games on Wednesday, April 16th, showcasing their competitive spirit.

In the opening round, the #4 seeded Dons faced off against #5 seed Del Norte in what proved to be a thrilling battle. After holding early 1-0 and 2-1 leads, the Dons found themselves trailing 5-2 late in the second period. Refusing to go quietly, Cathedral Catholic launched a dramatic comeback, sparked by two clutch goals from Brady Nelson and a critical tally by senior captain Matt Cavanaugh to level the game at 5-5. With under three minutes remaining, Del Norte regained the lead, but Cavanaugh struck again—netting his second goal of the game just as time expired to force overtime.

In sudden death, sophomore Vison Ha played the hero, scoring the game-winner just two minutes into the extra frame and sending the Dons into a semifinal showdown with the top-seeded, undefeated San Diego South (Combined Team). The matchup marked a rematch of a heartbreaking, last-second loss to the same team just one week earlier.

Despite the odds, the Dons fought hard, trailing just 2-1 after the first period and 4-1 after two. San Diego South ultimately pulled away in the third with three goals, sealing a 7-2 win over Cathedral Catholic. The South team went on to claim the league championship on April 23rd.

Among the season's highlights were several standout individual performances. Freshman Kellan Morneau made a significant impact in his debut season, finishing fifth in league scoring with 27 points (17 goals, 10 assists). Sophomore goaltender Jackson Mann also had a strong campaign, ranking third among all goalies with a .726 save percentage.

While the season may have come to a close, the Dons demonstrated heart, hustle, and promise for the future. Congratulations to the entire team, especially the seniors, on a memorable season.