The Pacesetters U17 soccer team learned to become a cohesive, tight-knit unit, and that development led to a state championship.

The Sylvania-based team also earned a bit of redemption in the process of claiming a state title. The Pacesetters U17 team won the Ohio North State Cup on May 1.

In 2009, the team lost 1-0 to Woodridge in the state semifinals. But last month the Pacesetters topped the 2009 state champs 4-1 in Akron.

“It was very gratifying, especially beating the same team that beat us last year,” coach Chip Smith said.

The players hail from seven area high schools, and all will enter their senior years this fall.

Smith said the team not only featured talent but also depth.

“The thing that was unique about us was that we were balanced all over the field,” Smith said. “All of the guys have contributed. We had a lot of different guys who scored.”

During the Cup run, the team went undefeated and gave up one goal in six games.

Last year the Pacesetter team lost on an own goal in the semis. Smith said every player was back from that team except one.

“It was just one of those games where we couldn't put the ball in the goal,” Smith said. “We talked immediately after that game that it was important to remember what that felt like. And the next chance we got, we had to make the most of it. ‘Second chances' was our saying. Sometimes you get second chances in life, and you have to make the most of it.”

In the championship against Woodridge, the Pacesetter team fell behind 1-0 in the first half. But Perrysburg's Karter Sell scored two goals. Findlay's Trey Bracy and Adam Montague of St. John's Jesuit each scored a goal.

Jimmy Walker is the executive director of the Pacesetter Soccer Club, which has boys and girls teams in the U9 through U19 age groups. He said the U17 boys team came together over the last two years.

“It shows that by staying loyal and working hard good things will happen,” Walker said. “It is really pleasing to see the effort these lads showed. They learned different things along the way. Discipline, attitude, and work ethic were spot on with the guys.”

Smith said the roster included the top talent from the best high school programs. The team's lineup consisted of five players from Perrysburg, five from St. John's Jesuit, two from St. Francis de Sales, two from Northview and one each from Ottawa Hills and Findlay.

“We have the best players in this area on our team,” Smith said.

Last fall, St. John's reached the Division I regional final. St. Francis finished ranked seventh in the state and defending state champion Ottawa Hills lost in the district final. The Green Bears finished ranked No. 2 in the state, while Perrysburg won a title in the tough Northern Lakes League.

“We have 18 guys that we can do things with,” Smith said. “We can put one guy in and take another out and there is not a drop in the level of play. We're consistent.”

Montague, a midfielder from St. John's, was one of the team's captains. Montague has verbally committed to play at Michigan State University.

“Adam led us in goals scored,” Smith said. “He attacks. He has matured. He's been the guy we can count on. He sets the example. He's had two really good years.”

Defender Justin Niese, who also plays for the Titans, is another captain. Sell, who earned second team All-Ohio honors last fall, is the third captain.

Montague earned first team all-district honors last fall.

Midfielder Reed Glosser of Ottawa Hills also has received interest from D-I colleges.

“Karter Sell also is getting looks,” Smith said.

Goaltending duties were shared between Josh Weiss (Lima Temple Christian) and Jeff Cooperider (Northview). They rotated throughout the season before Weiss emerged as the No. 1 goalie at the end.

The roster was rounded out by Ashton Winkler (St. Francis), Steven Witte (Perrysburg), Matt Essig (St. John's), Nate Watkins (Northview), Aaron Pink-leman (Perrysburg), Ryan Peterson (St. John's), Shawn Banagis (Perrysburg), Brad Vahalik (St. John's), Zack White (Lima Temple Christian), Alec Smith (Perrysburg), and Mike Wainz (St. Francis).

Despite playing on different high school teams, the Pacesetter club was able to develop good chemistry.

“The captains made sure they did things with each other off the field,” Smith said. “That's what makes it special. They all are very good soccer payers. But it's a very tight-knit group too. There is no ‘St. John's group' here or ‘Perrysburg group' there. They all get along very well together.”

The core has been together since they formed a U15 team. Smith, who has won three state club titles, took over this team last year.

Smith is an assistant girls coach at Northview. As coach of the boys team at Anthony Wayne in 2008, Smith was named the Division I district coach of the year. Smith led the Generals to the D-I state semifinal game that fall.

This team competed during the regular season in the Premier Division of the Midwest Regional League, which features the top teams from Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Minnesota. The Pacesetters finished third, three points out of first.

“We've had a really good season,” Smith said.

Contact Mark Monroe at:

mmonroe@theblade.com

or 419-724-6354.

First Published June 30, 2010, 12:57 p.m.