The U-16 Team Dayton boys soccer team successfully defended their U-15 State Cup Championship by defeating Ohio Thunder, from Columbus, 2-1 in a contest played this past rainy Saturday at Ankeney Soccer Complex in Beavercreek.  The teams played to a 1-1 tie in regulation and after two fifteen minute overtime periods generated zero goals,  the game was decided with a penalty kick shoot-out.  Carroll High School’s Caleb Jack scored with a header off a corner kick in the 63rd minute of regulation play to put Team Dayton up 1-0, only to have Thunder score the tying goal 3 minutes later, also on a corner kick that deflected off a couple players before being kicked into the back of the net.

Team Dayton had been diligently prepared by coach Ryan Baker for a shoot-out of this magnitude, and Huber Heights resident and Wayne Warrior soccer team player, Roger Downing started things off by drilling the first penalty kick by the Thunder goalie.  Beavercreek High School provides Team Dayton with one of the states outstanding goalies, Mark Scholz, and his impressive save of Thunders first PK provided the impetus for number two kicker, Josh Zimmerlin of Beavercreek, to put Team Dayton ahead 2-0 in the shoot-out after his shot zinged past the goalie.  Thunder then scored to make the shoot-out 2-1.  Cincinnati Anderson High School’s Kevin Zidron of Team Dayton, fired his attempt into the net to give TD a 3-1 advantage, and when the next Thunder player failed to score with a shot that sailed over the crossbar, Springfield North’s Erik Zimmer approached his penalty kick, with an opportunity to close out Thunder if he scored.  A massive celebration ensued when his kick was buried for the final outcome, and Team Dayton’s dream of back to back State Cups had become a reality.  Team Dayton will venture to DesMoines, Iowa for the regional tournament beginning on June 20th and concluding on June 25th.  If they win the Region II Championship, they will then play for the National Championship in July.

The five game tournament began three weeks ago with a 4-0 “play in” win over the Gunners which are based out of Northmont area.  Subsequent shutouts wins of 6-0 over the Thunder United and 8-0 over the Ambassador Soccer Club in games played at Fairfield’s Optimist Park, vaulted Team Dayton to a semi-final contest with Premier Adidas whose club is based in Columbus.  After falling behind by a score of 2-0 in the first 4 minutes of the game, striker Scott Shrewsbury of Huber Heights and a Wayne Warrior soccer player, volleyed a laser shot into the net from 20 yards to make the score 2-1 in the 23rd minute.  During a flurry of offensive attacks the determined players of Team Dayton generated an opportunity to tie the game in its 36th minute when Yellow Springs player, striker Duncan Silvert-Noftle, scored from 6 yards in front of the goal on an assist from Alter’s John Bonnet.  In the game’s 56th minute, Team Dayton's Josh Zimmerlin of Beavercreek scored on an assist from Duncan Silvert-Noftlet in what proved to be the game winning goal.  Team Dayton was forced to play a man down for the games final 18 minutes when one of their players was administered a red card and eliminated from the rest of this contest, not to mention the championship game.  The defense, anchored by the aforementioned Downing from his sweeper spot and Scholz in goal, in addition to Beavercreek’s Michael Conley, Carroll’s Mark Geise and Joe Flach, fullback Carlo Rigoli form Columbus Granville High School, as well as outside midfielder James Nouanesengsy, another Wayne Warrior player; thwarted every attempt of Premier Adidas’ furious attacks to tie the game, which ended 3-2, setting the stage for the State Cup championship game.

Team Dayton this season has played their league games in the National League East division where they have played State Cup champions from other states. They currently are 2-1-1 in the league with 2 games remaining.  Overall their record this season is 18-3-3 as they head into Memorial Day weekend competition when they play locally for the first time this year, in the prestigious Warrior Classic.  The early season found them encountering a variety of injuries including the loss for the season of Sam Schmitt of Springfield North.  Injuries to goalie Mark Scholz has provided opportunities for Centerville’s Brandon Baumer to show impressive skills in goal against National League competition.  The Warrior Classic schedule has them playing at 9:35 at Cloud Park #12 on the morning of May 24th, followed by a 1:45 game at Cloud Park #8.  Sunday morning’s game will be played at Ankeney #6 at 8:00.

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