MaxPreps 2013 Soccer Early Contenders: Walsh Jesuit girls

Walsh Jesuit (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio) only knows Dino McIntyre and winning when it comes to girls soccer.

The man who has been at the Ohio powerhouse since it began enrolling girls has led the program to a place that just about every other program in the nation wishes it could be.

It's hardly a given that the Warriors can replicate their 21-0-2 record and Ohio Division II title from last season, considering that the team will lean on underclassmen in some key spots. But when a squad has earned the most state titles in state history (six) and three national crowns in just 20 years, you'd better not count it out.

Those amazing title numbers make Walsh Jesuit an easy choice as a national title Early Contender, presented by Dick's Sporting Goods and adidas.



See all the 2013 Fall Soccer Early Contenders

"We have questions all over the field since we have lost 10 Division I college starters in the last two years. Our No. 1 question is how well the freshmen and sophomores will react to playing against older and faster players," McIntyre said. "We will be full of sophomore and freshman starters."

Youth doesn't always mean inexperience, and it doesn't have to mean "growing pains" or other terms for a team learning how to win. It does, however, challenge a coach to find ways to get the younger and older players to meld. McIntyre said he has put emphasis on chemistry and teambuilding as the Warriors prepare for their title defense.

"With girls soccer or any other girls sports, good team chemistry is a No. 1 prerequisite for success. So at the moment we are doing lots of exercises to humble everyone on the team. Humility, respect and a genuine work ethic are what you need in a group," McIntyre said.

Six starters have moved on from Walsh Jesuit after posting the state's biggest blowout in a title match, including two-time Gatorade State Player of the Year Sandra Yu. What will tell the story of how the team recovers from it is the progression of those sophomores and freshmen.

See our special Walsh Jesuit photo gallery



Local look: "The Warriors put together a dominating performance for which the defending state champion Stallions had no answer."
- Michael Beaven, Akron Beacon Journal (@MBeavenABJ), describing last year's state title win
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State classification: Division I

Enrollment: 900 (approx.)

Athletic director: Barb Salata

2012 finish: 21-0-2, OHSAA Division II champion

Head coach: Dino McIntyre

Years at school: 23 (First two as boys assistant)



Career record: 351-38-28

Notable team achievements: Six state titles are the most in Ohio history, boys or girls. Also, three national championships and 12 state Final Fours in the past 14 years.

Notable non-soccer facts about school: New England Patriots 14-year veteran (and current Ohio State assistant) Mike Vrabel graduated from Walsh Jesuit ... The school owns 34 state titles, which is fourth in state history ... Michael Nanchoff graduated from Walsh Jesuit before moving to MLS.
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Key player losses:

M Sandra Yu (Notre Dame)

D Sarah Kornick (Univ of Loyola-Chicago)

F Maddy John (Xavier University)



F Kennedy Payne (College of Wooster)

Key returners:

Sr. D Emily Rogers (two-year starter)

Sr. M Maddy Anzelc (four-year starter)

Sr. D Kaitlyn Semelsberger (three-year starter)

Rising contributors:



Soph. D Gabby Lopresti (two-year starter)

Soph. GK Lauren Demarchi (two-year starter)

Soph. M Christina Trickett (two-year starter)

Jr. M Juli Knapp (two-year starter)
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Toughest games: The Warriors will not be playing in any tournaments this season but they are facing plenty of formidable squads. Solon, Holy Name (Parma Heights), Hathaway Brown (Shaker Heights), Dublin Coffman and Magnificat (Rocky River) are the teams McIntyre pointed out as the toughest on the schedule.

Question marks: The talent is there. The tradition is there. But the experience is somewhat lacking. Will the Warriors' young players meld with the older ones and keep the tradition rolling?

National look: Out of the 10 girls teams we are featuring in the Early Contenders, two are from Ohio. The state had four squads finish in the Top 25 in the MaxPreps Computer Rankings last season and two in the NSCAA Top 25. Ohio State's women's team claim the Big Ten title last season as well.



In summary: "This season is a huge question mark. I have some good young players but we will see how they impact our team when playing vs. older players. I have five seniors who will hopefully contribute on and off the field with their leadership."
- Head coach Dino McIntyre
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