Middie boys, girls enjoy preseason success

Contributed photo Middletown High School girls soccer team recently won the Ohio High School Cup Tournament in Columbus.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Contributed photo Middletown High School boys soccer team recently won a preseason tournament at Northmont.

ENLARGE PHOTO

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By Skip Weaver, Staff Writer Updated 12:34 PM Tuesday, July 28, 2009

MIDDLETOWN — Middletown High School’s two varsity soccer teams each won preseason tournaments on Sunday, July 26.

The girls team won the Ohio High School Cup in Columbus, while the boys won the Northmont soccer tournament.

“They came out ready to play every game and never let down,” MHS girls coach Amanda Messer said. “That’s one of the reasons I think we improved in every game.”

The Middie girls outscored their opponents — Ontario, Miami East, Lakewood and Minford — 21-3 in four games. Seniors Ellie McGuire and Alyssa Pena were selected to play in the Senior All-Star game, which was held Friday night before the tournament began.

Leading the way offensively for the Middies was sophomore Aunjanna Million, who scored six goals. Junior Darien Perrin and Pena each had five goals, and Katie Noble and Dani Solem had a combined effort in goal.

“Our offense is young, but I think we have a very balanced squad,” said Messer, in her third year with the Middies.

Josh Howard, a second-year coach with the boys team, also celebrated a victorious weekend.

The Middie boys were 4-0 at Northmont to win their first-ever preseason tournament.

They defeated Upper Arlington 2-1, and then shut out Brookville (3-0), Greenville (2-0) and Twin Valley South (2-0).

“Our offense did a great job of moving the ball around and the defense played well together, too,” Howard said.

Darius Kinley and Jeremiah Burg each totaled two goals to lead Middletown, while Chad Johnson recorded 30 saves in goal.

“Our main goals going into the tournament were to do the little things right and not worry about winning,” Howard said. “We wanted to keep possession of the ball and not play to our feet. I think we did a great job of that.”

Tryouts for both teams will begin on Aug. 10.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2852 or sweaver@coxohio.com.

Get ready for the 2009 prep sports season by visiting MiddletownJournal.com/preps

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