TIFFIN: Revere is headed to Columbus in search of its second state championship.
Senior Joel Harding and sophomore Sam Webster each scored a goal Wednesday to help Revere defeat Celina 2-0 in a Division II state semifinal at Frost-Kalnow Stadium at Tiffin Columbian High School.
Revere (16-3-3) will meet Kettering Archbishop Alter in the state final at noon Sunday at Mapfre Stadium. Alter beat Columbus St. Francis DeSales 2-1 in double overtime on Wednesday at London High School.
A victory Sunday would allow the 2016 Minutemen to match their 2013 team that won the Division II state title at Columbus Crew Stadium.
“This is awesome for these boys,” said Revere coach Nick DePompei, who was an assistant on the state title team three seasons ago. “It has been a project from the beginning of the year as far as them gaining chemistry with each other. A lot of them did great within the JV program, but they are new to the varsity atmosphere. Kudos to them for the chemistry that they have built together.”
Revere returned just one starter — junior forward Zack Kasson — from last year, and now is state-bound. Celina (20-2) gave a valiant effort, but struggled to keep up with Revere’s speed and passing. When the Bulldogs did have an opportunity, either a Minutemen defender or junior goalkeeper Charlie Fink were up to the task to quell the chance.
Harding gave Revere, which drove approximately two hours for the match, a 1-0 lead in the 27th minute with a goal from around 25 yards out after a corner kick by senior Zane VanFossen.
“We basically looked at the set up they gave us and coach made the call, and Zane played a great ball,” Harding said. “I just trapped it and they were not expecting that. I had a bunch of time and I just put the ball in the corner.
“I was super excited. That was only my second goal of the year and this is my senior year. To score in the state semis in my senior year is just amazing.”
Webster scored his goal in the 61st minute from around 30 yards out.
“They played a not-so-good ball to our outside back, who then played it to [sophomore] Sal Milazzo, our attacking mid and I just happened to be right next to him,” Webster said. “He laid the ball off to my left foot and I just hit the ball and it dipped right before the keeper’s hands. That’s my second goal of the year.”
Fink posted a shutout with assistance from his defenders — Harding, senior Nathan Albert and juniors Tyler Ebert and Audric Wertz.
VanFossen, Kasson and Milazzo also started for Revere along with seniors Bryce Harding and Matthew Giltner and freshman Trent Rorabaugh.
DePompei called on Webster, juniors Jack Brokloff and William Branch and sophomore Sandor Jakab to contribute as reserves.
Jakab’s father, Sador Jakab, was Revere’s coach for the 2013 state title team, and was in the crowd as usual Wednesday along with other Revere parents and students.
Michael Beaven can be reached at 330-996-3829 or mbeaven@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the #ABJVarsity high school blog at www.ohio.com/preps. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MBeavenABJ.