MaxPreps 2013 Soccer Early Contenders: Perrysburg girls

The consensus in northwestern Ohio is that the Perrysburg (Ohio) girls soccer blitzkrieg will have a little less ammunition this year.

That just means the Yellow Jackets will have to decimate the opposition in a slightly different way.

The team that finished No. 2 in the national NSCAA rankings and No. 6 in the MaxPreps rankings is admittedly lacking in offensive prowess when compared to last year's downright dominant 23-0 team that won the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division I title, and earned a visit from the MaxPreps Tour of Champions. So don't expect a 108-5 scoring margin again this season for Perrysburg, one of 10 fall girls teams to be honored as a national title Early Contender, presented by adidas and Dick's Sporting Goods.

The actual differential this year will likely feature a smaller number in the Perrysburg column - but the goals allowed side might not change a whole lot. All-American and leading scorer Maddy Williams (48 goals) is gone, so the offense will be searching for some new answers. On the defensive end, though, Perrysburg is still stacked.



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"We have three of four starting backs from last year's team, we have two of three starting forwards and we have a returning attacking midfielder in up and coming sophomore with ODP Regional and National experience Josie Fowler," co-head coach Jorge Diaz said, adding that following up a 22-0 season is no easy task.

This juggernaut comes a part of Ohio that sometimes falls off the radar. Perrysburg is southwest of Toledo, less than 15 miles from the Michigan border, so it doesn't get seen too often in the bigger cities. But a strong youth program coupled with the high school's amazing season is making the team a hot topic in Ohio.

There might be a letdown, though it won't be due to lack of effort.

"The kids buy into it. Our motto is 'Don't let good enough be good enough. Be great," Diaz said.

See the entire Perrysburg photo gallery

Local look: "After an historic undefeated season culminated in a Division I state championship last fall, expectations for the Perrysburg program are sky-high. But the loss of three supremely talented players, including leading scorer Maddy Williams and goalkeeper Chloe Buehler to major college programs, has tempered the enthusiasm. The cupboard is far from bare, however, for the Yellow Jackets, who have 13 players back including three out of four defenders. A unique co-head coaching combination of Jorge Diaz and Margaret Bernard should once again provide a steady, guiding force. This team will win its share of games but maybe by a 2-0 margin rather than 4-1 as Perrysburg often did last season to go 23-0."
- Mark Monroe, Toledo Blade (@monroeblade)
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State classification: OHSAA Division I



Enrollment: 1,400 (approx.)

Athletic director: Ray Pohlman

2012 finish: 23-0, OHSAA Division I champions (No. 2 in NSCAA rankings, No. 6 MaxPreps)

Head coaches: Margaret Bernard and Jorge Diaz

Years at school: 3 as a pair

Career record: 42-1

Notable team achievements: 2012 OHSAA Division I champs, No. 2 national ranking by NSCAA and No. 6 by MaxPreps.

Notable soccer alumni: All-American Maddy Williams.

Notable non-soccer facts about school: Perrysburg has produced Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland and former NFL coach and TV personality coach Jerry Glanville. Anna Tunnicliffe, Olympic gold medalist in 2007 (women's laser radial class in sailing).
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Key player losses:



F Maddy Williams (Leading scorer with 48 goals, All-American)

M Mollie Whitacre (First team All-Ohio)

GK Chloe Buehler (Penn State signee)

Key returners:

Sr. F/M Lucy Walton

Sr. D Andrea Wertz



Sr. D Abby Sattler

Jr. F Allex Brown

Jr. D Lindy DeLong

So. M Josie Fowler

Rising contributors:

Sr. M Hannah Salmon



Sr. F Sarah Quimby
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Toughest game: Dublin Jerome. On Sept. 28, the Celtics come to Perrysburg. Dublin Jerome went 16-2-3 last season and reached the Division I quarterfinals. The season before, Dublin Jerome was 20-2-1 and lost in the state final.

Question marks: Can the Yellow Jackets match the offensive production they posted last year? Also, the state title will likely motivate opposing teams to give a little something extra against Perrysburg each time out. Can the Yellow Jackets raise their level?

National look: While northwest Ohio has few premier teams, the state as a whole features talent from the three major metropolitan areas (Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati), not to mention other cities. There are loads of great players, but there are also many schools that means the talent is spread out.

In summary: "We need to create a new identity and prepare for all teams to come out and play their best game against us."
- Co-head coach Margaret Bernard

"It is going to be very tough to duplicate but we have the talent to make a big run at it. We are fortunate to be a school that a lot of talented kids come to be a part of."
- Co-head coach Jorge Diaz
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