Young Middies win Ohio Cup title

Team claims three shutouts on way to  4-0 record and first Ohio Cup title.

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By John Bombatch, Staff Writer Updated 11:54 AM Tuesday, July 20, 2010

The Middletown High School boys soccer team and coach Josh Howard entered last weekend’s Ohio Cup just hoping to get some playing time with each other and to grow as a team.

They came home with a lot more.

The Middies went undefeated to win Group G of the Ohio Cup, outscoring their opponents 14-2 along the way during the July 16-17 tournament.

The matches were held in Pickerington.

“We went in just hoping to get better after every game and to work on playing together,” said Howard. “For us to give up just two goals, that was great to see. We graduated our entire defense from last year, so we have a brand-new defense this year.”

The team also graduated its top three scorers and its goalkeeper. Juniors Ryan Till (five goals), Graham Rudd (two goals) and Zach Bare (one goal), plus freshman Jacob Harpe (two goals) and senior Aaron Kimbrough (four goals) came up big, as did midfielder-turned-goalkeeper Austin Pokora, who recorded three shutouts in goal and recorded four wins in all.

“Those were his first games playing in goal, and he did a great job for us,” Howard said. “He gave up two goals in the fourth game, but they weren’t his fault. He had a lot of great saves throughout the two-day tournament.”

Middletown’s victories came against Warren (4-0), Pickerington Central Beta (4-0), Pickerington North III (2-0) and Marietta (4-2). Both Pickerington schools fielded multiple teams.

It’s the first time Middletown has won the Ohio Cup, one of the largest high school soccer tournaments in the state.

Howard said the Middies return to tournament play on Saturday, when they’ll compete in the Northmont Tournament in Clayton.

“We’re going into the tournament with the same goals — to play better each time out and to work well together,” Howard said.

The team’s first game is 11 a.m. at Hoke Park.

»More prep news on our blog at MiddletownJournal.com/go/prepsplus

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