Mariemont's 15th shutout puts squad in first state final
The 19-1-2 program faces Findlay Liberty-Benton Friday, with two starters playing through broken arms.
By Priya Marino ·
Mariemont High School girls soccer enters the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division IV state final on Friday noon with a 19-1-2 record and a singular goal. The team will face Findlay Liberty-Benton, a 20-2-1 squad, at Scotts-Miracle-Gro Field in Columbus. This matchup marks the first time in program history that Mariemont has reached the championship match.
Coach Mike Haney, in his 29th season at the school, stated the team is preparing with its usual routine. He advised players to absorb the atmosphere but not to alter their strategy. Haney cited a former colleague who told him to play the game, not the moment. The coaching staff is avoiding major tactical shifts at this stage of the tournament.
The roster features a distributed statistical profile. No single player dominates the scoring or playmaking columns. Senior Addy Zawaly has recorded 14 goals and 13 assists. Senior Alyssa Dewey has posted 11 goals and 24 assists. Sophomore Meryck Bogle has 11 goals and 11 assists. Junior Marisa Murphy leads with 18 goals and 12 assists. Freshman Claire Young has nine goals and 10 assists. Haney described the group as selfless, noting that substitutes serve as reinforcements rather than bench players.
The team has managed multiple physical setbacks this season. Two starters will take the field Friday with broken arms. Other players have played through a sprained ankle, a bad hip, a rib issue, and blurred vision. Mariemont secured its berth with a 3-0 victory over West Branch in the state semifinal on Tuesday night. That win represented the 15th shutout for the squad during the campaign.
This is the first time the program has made a state Final Four. The team previously reached the regional tournament on three occasions. Athletic director Tom Nerl called the group special and noted strong support from the school community. The program has a long history of success, but the trip to Columbus represents a new milestone.
Mariemont is one of several Greater Cincinnati teams competing in the girls soccer state tournament this week. Seton, ranked No. 5 nationally by MaxPreps with a 22-0 record, plays Strongsville (15-3-3) in the Division I final at 1 p.m. Saturday. In Division III, Indian Hill (18-0-4) faces Bay Village Bay (21-2) at 4 p.m. Saturday. The Wyoming boys soccer team (17-4-2) plays Worthington Christian (18-3-2) in a Division IV final at 1 p.m. in Columbus.
