“I think we can win the state championship. I think we have a chance,” Belleman said of the Warriors. “There are definitely a handful of other schools that will have something to say about that. The Cincinnati district is one of the toughest in the state so it’s going to be tough.
“I believe in making realistic goals and I think for this team it is realistic. It’s somewhere they’ve never been before, so it’s hard to say that when you’ve never been there before. But if our program had a chance, it would be with this group.”
The Warriors are up to the challenge.
An attacking offense and solid defense led to a 9-2-1 start and the No. 2 spot in the Miami Valley Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association Division III poll. To bolster its postseason confidence, Dayton Christian can reflect on wins against Carroll (ranked No. 3 in the D-II state poll) and a tie with D-II perennial power Alter.
The losses, though, have come to D-III opponents Springfield Catholic Central and the Miami Valley School, ranked No. 1 and No. 3 respectively in the area. SCC also is ranked No. 1 in the state.
Dayton Christian reached the district final in 2009, lost in the district semifinal in 2008 and won the district title in 2006. The program’s last and only trip to state came back in 1982.
“Last year we thought we could go to state, but everything fell out of place,” Dayton Christian senior keeper Ian MacDonald. “Last year we were a lot younger team. This year we’re more mature. I think that helps.”
This year the program — varsity and junior varsity teams combined — features six sets of brothers. Ten play regularly or see varsity time.
“One thing we try to preach is the whole team is sort of brothers. Maybe (having so many on the team) makes it easier getting that concept across,” Belleman said. “We don’t seem to have any sibling rivalries. It’s definitely been a much more positive thing.”
Belleman — who played at small-school power Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy and later at Cedarville University — took over the program this season after assisting at Centerville in 2009. Last year’s head coach, Steve Vaughan, aided the continuity by serving as an assistant this year. His two sons, senior Petr and sophomore Parker, both play varsity.
Senior Jeremy Hoppe and junior Christian Alexander pace the Warriors’ up-tempo attack.
“I was kind of worried coming into this year because I wasn’t sure how it would go,” Hoppe said, referring to a key graduation on defense and playing for a new coach.
“I wasn’t sure if our defense would be as good as last year, but our offense is doing so well. ... We connect a lot better than maybe other teams have. We move the ball around very well.”
The Warriors will need plenty of that for a lengthy postseason run.
“Really the strength of our team has been our attacking play and ability to score goals,” Belleman said.
“Something I always tell them is it’s the coaches program, but it’s the players’ team. I’m trying to build a program every year that’s about character and doing the right things on and off the field. This team is really what they make it. They have the ability to take it and run with it.”
And maybe all the way to Columbus.
About the Author