MADISON TOWNSHIP — The All-Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association team had a decidedly Huff flavoring to it when it was released on Sunday night.
Madison junior Taylor Huff was chosen the Division II Girls Soccer Player of the Year, while her father, Zac, was selected the Division II Girls Soccer Coach of the Year. The Huffs had plenty of local company, with eight area girls, and four boys earning mention on the all-state soccer squad.
The Huff duo led Madison all the way to the girls state championship game on Saturday before falling 2-0 to Kettering Alter.
“It’s incredible, I can’t believe it,” Taylor Huff said. “I figured they would give it to someone that won state. It’s a huge honor.”
The midfielder has already committed to play collegiate soccer at Tennessee. This year she racked up 34 goals and 26 assists, and has 99 goals in her career. This is Taylor’s third season as a first-team All-Ohio selection.
Broadcasters at the state championship game were stunned by her ability to shoot and pass with either foot at nearly equal distance, velocity and accuracy. She has 99 goals for her career heading into her senior season.
“We’ve got plenty of dents on the garage door to show how much all our girls have practiced,” Zac Huff said. “Taylor never stops. She breathes soccer in and out. She has a higher bar for herself than I do.”
The Rams completed an 18-2-4 record in their second trip to the state tournament in the past three years.
“It’s an awesome feeling and an awesome award,” Zac Huff said of his coaching accolade. “What a great honor.”
Madison got out of the gate strong, hit a bit of a lull in midseason, but turned on the jets for the tournament to reach the state championship game. Best of all, the Rams return 11 juniors next season. That makes the goal pretty simple for Taylor Huff looking ahead to her senior year.
“We want to win it all,” she said.
Several north central Ohio soccer players joined her on the prestigious list.
Ashland forward McKinley Mendenhall was the lone girls representative in Division I. The Arrows forward posted 17 goals and eight assists this season to claim first-team honors.
In Division II, Lexington senior Lacee Bethea joined Huff on the first-team roster. Bethea registered 27 goals and 14 assists.
Clear Fork defensive ace Emily Hart, a senior, was a second-team selection, as was Ontario freshman forward Kyla Spencer (23 goals and 12 assists).
In Division III, two Crestview girls earned first-team recognition, forward Carley Campo and midfielder Kathleen Leeper. Campo posted 28 goals and 18 assists, while Leeper had 26 goals and 19 assists.
Mansfield Christian senior Olivia Bekeleski collected second-team honors. She compiled 21 goals and four assists this year.
On the boys’ side, Ashland senior Bryan Bostic was the area’s lone Division I representative on the first team. The Arrows’ forward had 20 goals and 19 assists this year.
In Division II, Lexington junior Ryan Parker was a first-team pick. The Minutemen forward led his squad all the way to the Final Four.
Madison senior James Wagner was a second-team Division II choice with 19 goals and 11 assists.
In Division III, Mansfield Christian senior Gavin Kiliany was a second-team selection as a keeper for the Flames.
