The Ottawa Hills boys soccer team heads into the state semifinals as a gritty but loose group seeking redemption after coming up short in recent seasons.

No. 6-ranked Ottawa Hills (17-4-1) takes on No. 2-ranked ranked Youngstown Cardinal Mooney (17-3-1) in a Division III semifinal Wednesday at Sandusky's Cedar Point Stadium. The winner advances to Saturday’s state final in Columbus.

Ottawa Hills coach Brian Hanudel described his group as tough, yet relaxed.

“We're able to play physically enough to put in tough challenges, but are not out of control. We always feel we have a chance no matter who lines up across from us,” Hanudel said. “We have a pretty loose group. At every practice, there is a lot of laughter. But when things need to get serious, they are locked in. They're kids playing a game in front of their friends and the village and having a blast doing it.”

Amanda Levine

Shetterly's goals lift Ottawa Hills into Division III state boys soccer semifinals

The Green Bears have outscored their opponents 31-1 in the tournament and 86-17 overall. Cardinal Mooney has outscored its foes 29-1 in the postseason and 78-14 overall.

Ottawa Hills senior midfielder Elijah Shetterly (nine goals, 14 assists) said the team has found the perfect balance of seriousness and levity.

“Even if it's a big game like the regional final, [senior Harley Talbott] has his shirt off during warm-ups, and you remember it's just a game,” Shetterly added. “Having that mix of lightheartedness and then when we get on the field, we want to compete, and we want to play for each other. We love winning.”

Senior captain Adam Ayad, who is second on the team in scoring with 41 points (12 G, 17 A), said the team finds ways to avoid getting too tight or too relaxed.

“We've had struggles with that before,” Ayad said. “But we've figured it out throughout the year. It has helped us be a better team when we can have fun, but also be serious and know the moments to do so.”

Ottawa Hills and Cardinal Mooney met in the 2020 state semifinals with the Cardinals taking a 1-0 win. They also met Sept. 17 this season with Cardinal Mooney winning 2-0 at home.

Cardinal Mooney is not putting much stock into the previous wins.

Rebecca Benson

Photo Gallery: Ottawa Hills boys soccer vs. Ottoville

“Both of us are different teams at this stage than we were then,” Cardinal Mooney coach Matt Britton said. “However, we are looking at the fundamental principles of how Ottawa Hills plays.”

Hanudel said his team is seeking redemption.

“I'd be lying to say that's not on our minds,” he added. “One of the first questions after the game in September is when would we see them again. Hopefully, for our sake, the third time will be a charm.”

For Cardinal Mooney, this will be its fifth appearance in the state semifinals. The 2002 team won the state title, and the Cardinals finished runner-up three times (2020, 2005, and 2004).

This will be the seventh appearance in the state final four since 2008 for Ottawa Hills with a runner-up finish in 2017 and a state title in 2008. Ottawa Hills also reached the state semifinals last year and in 2020. In the semifinal last November, Ottawa Hills was stunned 4-2 by Columbiana Crestview.

“We've felt the heartache too many times,” Hanudel said. “But to be this close so many times in a career is amazing and a testament to this group of seniors and the program as a whole. I remind them this is not normal and that they are special.”

Shetterly said the previous semifinal exits are “an unspoken thing.”

“It's always in the back of everyone's mind,” he added. “You think about how it ended, and it motivates you to keep going.”

Once again, the Green Bears are a possession-based team and one that looks to keep its foot on the pedal.

Ottawa Hills played a regular-season schedule that included Division I teams Anthony Wayne, Perrysburg, and Northview, as well as state-ranked Division II team Lexington.

“Our schedule has allowed us to learn from our losses and also from our victories,” Hanudel said. “Our regular-season schedule is a gauntlet, and guys look at it as we enter the tournament and say, 'If we can get through that, we can make a deep run.'”

Sophomore Alex Duran leads the Green Bears in scoring with 63 points, including a team-high 24 goals to go along with 15 assists. Junior forward Brandon Lingo has 31 points (14 G, 3 A), followed by senior midfielder Carson Mackey's 23 (6 G, 11 A). Sophomore midfielder Houssam Hajar has produced 22 points (9 G, 4 A), while junior defender Evan West has 20 points (6 G, 8 A).

Junior goalkeeper Julian Jaume has made 115 saves for Ottawa Hills, which won its 17th consecutive Toledo Area Athletic Conference title.

“I think we’re just as good as any team in the state,” Shetterly said. “At the end of the day, it’s who wants it more.”

Britton pinpointed Ayad, Duran, and Shetterly as players of concern.

“The pace that they attack with, the ruthlessness they show in front of goal, and just the overall intensity they play with is enough to worry any coach,” he said.

Cardinal Mooney will look to apply a high press and attack with numbers, according to Britton.

The Cardinals have been led by junior Mason Janis, who has produced a team-high 39 points (15 G, 9 A). Junior Nick Pregibon (15 G, 4 A) and sophomore Aidan Hryb (11 G, 12 A) each have 34 points, while senior Patrick Dambrogio has chipped in with 21 points (7 G, 7 A).

Cardinal Mooney junior keeper Aidan Markey has 45 saves. Defender Dante DeGenova was the district player of the year.

“When they have a chance to go forward, they do so methodically and make great decisions,” Hanudel said. “It will be our job to get them out of their shape and try to move them around the field. We need to defend with 11 guys and protect it when we have it. Set pieces might make the difference in this game.”

Britton acknowledged the difficulty in beating the same team twice in a season.

“We're going to have to play a near-perfect game, he said, “where we set the tempo, control the ball, and limit the touches.”

First Published November 8, 2022, 6:19 p.m.