COLUMBUS — When the Turpin boys soccer team took the field for the Division II state championship at Crew Stadium, it had seen it all before.

Walsh Jesuit's Jon Dunning and Turpin High's Matt Quinn collide trying control the ball during the frist half. (Steven M. Herppich photo) | ZOOM |

        The Spartans faced Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit, the same opponent they beat 4-0 for the state title last year. They changed in the same locker rooms, sat on the same benches and focused on the same players.

        But when Turpin defeated the Warriors 2-1 Saturday for the school's second straight state championship and third title since 1986, the Spartans brought home something different — respect.

        Turpin coach John Basalyga said his team went the distance to prove what state polls didn't reflect.

        “I'm just numb,” he said after the win. “We fell out of the rankings in the fifth week, so I used it as a rallying cry for the rest of the season. People who didn't know anything about us said, "Who is Turpin?' Now everyone in the state knows.”

        The Spartans controlled the field with the same pressure they used in their first six tournament games.

        Striker Marc Burch set up Turpin's first score on a 45-yard free kick with 2:25 left in the first half.

        Spartan Matt Quinn collided with Walsh Jesuit goalkeeper Adam Sleyzak as they scrambled for the ball. Midfielder Wes Ernst stepped into the middle and tapped the ball to Dan Matteucci, who sent the ball into the net.

        “I saw the ball bouncing around and I wanted to be the first one to it,” Matteucci said. “I was praying it would go in.”

        Turpin scored again 4:51 into the second half when midfielder Zach Peterson scored unassisted from 14 yards.

        Turpin outshout Walsh Jesuit 16-8, but it was the defense that stole the show. The Spartans zone front prevented the Warriors from taking any shots on goal until the second half.

        Turpin finished the season 22-0-1 and extended its unbeaten streak to 37.

        Walsh Jesuit coach John Kissner, who suffered losses to Basalyga and his teams in 1986, 2000 and 2001 championships, said his team worked overtime to keep leading scorer Burch scoreless.

        “We wanted to keep an eye on him at all times because he's so dangerous.” Kissner said. “With Burch on the field, they're a handful.”

        Burch did not score on eight shots.

        For Turpin senior goalkeeper Mike Vessels it was a last chance for a championship.

        “It was ironic how it ended up, against the same team in the same place. It was a tougher game this year,” he said. “But we had to prove this to everyone who didn't think we could do it.”

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