The young men of Mansfield Christian’s soccer team walked into the high school gymnasium with their heads held high Sunday afternoon, where they were introduced as the first state championship soccer team in the history of Mansfield Christian and Richland County.
A crowd of family, friends and fans welcomed the team with a rousing and well-deserved round of applause, still high on emotion from Saturday’s 4-3 overtime win over Grandview Heights at Columbus Crew Stadium.
“Let’s start by acknowledging something we all know: It’s good to win,” said Mansfield Christian Athletic Director Doug Taylor.
The Flames (19-2-2) claimed the Division III state title on Saturday, besting the Grandview Heights Bobcats by one goal in overtime. Taylor emphasized the team’s record is a reflection of the countless hours on the practice field, sore muscles, and a fierce determination on the part both players and coaches to be the best he is capable of becoming for the Lord.
“You have every reason to be proud of it, we worked hard for it, we fought for it, we sweat for it, and it’s ours: state championship,” said Taylor. “Perhaps we should just accept it for what it is, an outstanding tribute to the dedication, diligence and hard work of a superb group of young athletes.”
Mansfield Christian High School Principal Terry Campbell commended the Flames soccer team for three reasons: developing their skills, practicing great teamwork, and demonstrating tenacity and determination.
“Those are three key qualities that will bring you great success in life,” he said. “Always remember yesterday, and remember those things, of developing skills in life, of working together as a team, and also tenacity: never give up, never let a setback keep you from achieving your dreams.”
Assistant coach Jesse Rider picked the brains of some of Mansfield Christian’s star players on Sunday afternoon, walking the crowd through some of the game’s biggest moments.
“So, how was your day yesterday?” Rider asked junior midfielder Sammy Paul.
“I don’t think it could have gone any better,” said Paul with a grin.
Paul scored two goals on Saturday to propel the Flames to victory – one of which was the game-winning goal in overtime, guided into the net by his head. Head coach Stephen Armstrong attributed his team’s tenacity in overtime in part to two straight weeks of two-a-day conditioning at the beginning of the year.
“These guys were getting pretty sick and tired of me, but I said you guys are going to enjoy this in the end, because when we went into overtime we had the legs, we were ready to go, we were the mentally tougher team and the physically stronger team, and I’m very proud of Sam’s diving header,” said Armstrong.
That header came after a free kick from junior midfielder Stevie Brown, and was initially intended for the school’s record-breaking striker Brendan Ernsberger.
“I saw my guy was kind of flat footed, and I saw Stevie take the free kick so I ran around him and the ball happened to go over Brendan’s head,” described Paul. “My first thought was, ‘This keeper is totally going to knock me out.’ And my second thought was, ‘It’s totally worth it.’”
As for Brown, it wasn’t until much later that he realized his role in the game-winning play.
“I didn’t even realize it was my free kick until we were lined up getting the medals, and someone said hey nice ball in and I thought oh, that was me,” said Brown with a laugh.
Ernsberger noted earlier in the season, there was a two or three week stretch where the Flames were struggling.
“In practice we were getting down on ourselves and in games we weren’t performing what we should’ve been, and that was hard,” he said. “We had to keep our positivity and keep mentally tough. Without that mental toughness our whole season could’ve gone down.”
As Taylor pointed out, also contributing to the positivity and mental toughness of the Mansfield Christian team are those working behind the scenes. He recognized supporters from the student section to the team managers, concession workers, trainers, and past coaches throughout the team’s years. Victory also does not come without another vitally important group.
“The fans and parents who shouted with us in joy and triumph, who had faith in us when things looked bad, who willed us to win, who lifted our hearts, strengthened our resolve, and gave every ounce of energy to filling our souls with support, determination and love – without you, defeat would have been crushing and victories would have been hollow,” said Taylor.
“This is our victory. The victory of everyone who is part of this Christian school.”
