SPORTS SUPERSTARS

Shawnee Boys Win State Soccer Championship!

by Mindy Molaski, Shawnee Schools Correspondent

The third time was a charm for the 2022 Shawnee boys soccer team. Going to state semifinals in 2001 when coach Ryan Quatman played, and again in 2020 where he coached, both teams fell short to travel to Columbus for the State Finals. This team though, they made it. And they won it!

The championship game was played at the Columbus Crew Stadium on November 13, 2022. It was a chilly night, but the spirit and excitement in the stadium was far from cold. Shawnee Nation showed up with the boys. As Coach Quatman told the community, they were the “twelfth man” and they brought it. The student section kept the spirit alive the entire game, starting chants and keeping the rest of the crowd cheering.

With the regulation game ending with a 0-0 score after 80 minutes of play, both teams were ready for overtime. Another 15 minutes would be added to the clock. The team was ready, the coaches remained calm, and the fans were on their feet. It was a new game; first to score would win. Another 15 minutes passed without a score. Let’s keep going. Add one more 15-minute overtime. 0-0. Next up, penalty kicks. Best of five, wins the game and takes home the state championship. With Jack Tenwalde in the goalie box, Coach Quatman was confident in the penalty kicks. Both teams missed their first kick. Bexley, the opposing team, made the next one. That would be the only goal that made it past Tenwalde. Shawnee’s first kick was blocked, but the next three got where they needed to be - past the goalie. Shawnee Soccer won its first ever State Championship!

Top row: Sam Tenwalde, Collin Scheid, Noah Neth, Austin Miller, Josh Myers, August LaGrande, Hunter Drury, Ethan Sargent, Coda Miller, Noah Scheid, Connor Hoops Middle row: Alex McGuire, Drew Neidemire, Connor Latham, Aaron Lea, Aidan Latham, Mason Latham Bottom row: Ethan Parlapiano, Luca Fusillo, Ethan Rosebeck, Sam Tenwalde, Matteo Fusillo, Adam Jmiai, Rhett Frasier, Tate Bender, Caleb Miller

Four sets of siblings: (top row): Noah & Collin Scheid, Sam & Jack Tenwalde, Austin Miller, Matteo Fusillo (bottom row): Caleb Miller & Luca Fusillo

Being on a team in high school brings a “family feel” to the players, especially after the time spent at practices, at games, in the locker room, and on the bus. They are all together...a lot. Having four sets of siblings (all of whom are varsity starters) on the team brings a whole new meaning to feeling like a family. Four families and eight siblings experienced the excitement of this season together, and this story will be told many times and for many years to come. They were lucky to share this with their team family, and their own family. The team ended the season with a 21-1-1 record, the 4th straight WBL title, and the State Championship. Thank you to the 2022 Shawnee boys soccer team for a great ride!