Perrysburg Lady Yellow Jackets
Photo by Army National Guard
Just outside of Toledo, Ohio, in the town of Perrysburg, is a hungry soccer team that chewed up the competition this year. The girls soccer team of
Perrysburg High School went 23-0 en-route to their first ever Ohio Division I state soccer championship. Focusing on defense, the Lady Yellow Jackets only allowed five goals against them all season.
When we spoke with the principal, Dr. Michael Short affirmed that their goaltender hadn't truly been tested like she was in the championship match.
"She had to make some pretty phenomenal saves to get that final win," Short said.
On Friday, Jan. 18, the gym was packed for the 2nd Annual MaxPreps Girls Soccer Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard. After the girls basketball team trounced their opponents by more than 30 points, they raced off the floor. Six of the players had to prepare to be honored for their feats on the soccer field last fall.
Athletic Director Ray Pohlman took his place on the west end of the floor and called everyone to attention. The crowd erupted into cheers as he announced the girls varsity soccer team. Each player was presented with a framed jersey encased with the team's championship photo. The Ohio Army National Guard sent Brigadier General Maria Kelly to present the Army National Guard national ranking trophy to co-head coaches Diaz and Bernard. Finally, two members of the local VFW presented the school with an honorary flag for display.
The very impressive "Minuteman" trophy is significant because it marks the team's standing nationwide. The Yellow Jackets finished No. 6 in the nation of over 10,000 schools ranked according to the MaxPreps Freeman Rankings. The athletes and coaches alike were blown away by all the attention. Afterwards, the half-dozen Army National Guard members hosted a post-ceremony pizza party for the coach, players, staff and families to celebrate the great achievement by the Lady Yellow Jackets. It will certainly be interesting to see if this young program can build on this season for the future.
