The Revere men’s soccer team ended their season with a victory at the 2013 State Championship game, earning Revere soccer its first state title.

The Minutemen defeated Bishop Watterson with a score of 2-0, securing their best-in-state ranking. Sophomore Daniel Branch scored a goal four minutes into the game, and senior Nolan Dyko scored the final goal after thirty minutes. Senior Brian Gillette voiced his mindset going into the game.

“[I went in thinking] ‘we are going to win it; I’m going to push as much as I have to until my legs give out’. We knew we had to earn it, but I knew in my mind that if we came to play, we [were] going to win it,” Gillette said.

The men’s soccer team has been in the state finals three of the past four years. Senior Joel Gerberich explained the significance of States.

“[States is] the pinnacle of high school sports, and it means a lot to do it for the community and the Revere soccer family,” Gerberich said.

Junior varsity soccer coach John Rorabaugh voiced what the team did to prepare for States.

“We obviously trained every day after school, but the real preparation came from team dinners and building our team chemistry. We had a guest speaker at each of our team dinners. The first was an Olympian wrestler, second was a person that won a State Championship as a player and a coach, and the third was a man that won a National Championship with Notre Dame. Each of the speakers brought a different, but very important message. Our players focused on their message and used the message[s] to prepare for the games,” Rorabaugh said.

Gerberich said that the team played well and took advantage of the “extreme” weather.

The team also “finally” won the coin toss, signaling a change in their favor. Head coach Sandor Jakab described the effect that the fan support had on the soccer team this season.

“The support is a twelfth man, a motivator, an energizer… to have the fans behind us, it’s just a huge wave that’s indescribable… all you have to do is feel it, listen to it, and then the crowd energizes you. It brings a lot of positive momentum,” Jakab said.

Jakab also described what the mindset on the field was, and what the team had to do to finally bring home the title.

“When you step foot inside of those lines, nothing from the outside can influence what [goes] on inside those lines, and so we need[ed] to be focused that way…not be concerned with anything outside of those lines… It was an opportunity to finish the job,” Jakab added.

Students and other members of the Revere community filled the stands, joining the team in their customary “I believe that we have won” chant upon their victory. Jakab voiced what the baby powder, dressing themes, and chants do for the team’s spirit.

“It unifies the team in a purpose, just knowing that [the fans are] there. More importantly, it helps to bring the fans together as well… To have that many people doing it really just shows the pride of the students, the pride of the school and the pride of this community,” Jakab said.

The team’s championship win solidified their undefeated season, finishing with a record of 21-0-2.  Jakab explained what made the difference with this year’s team.

“The focus of the team to finish the job at the state level, the tremendous team chemistry and willingness to put the team first, [and] the talent and perseverance to get it done [made the difference]. We had depth in addition to the talented starters,” Jakab said.

Members of the community are showing their pride in RHS men’s soccer. Bath restaurant Gasoline Alley is formulating several ways to honor the team. Owner Al Kerkian voiced some of the establishment’s plans.

“We are doing something for our soccer team. It will involve either a free lunch for the entire team or some kind of catering for a soccer function. Also, we will have some kind of contest to name a menu item for the team,” Kerkian said.

Rorabaugh voiced how the team is preparing for next year.

“The rest of the team has already started preparing for next season; our players play year round,” Rorabaugh said.

The game took place on November 9. The team is now officially ranked number one in the state of Ohio, and eighteenth in all divisions in the country. Revere High School held an assembly to celebrate the team’s accomplishments on November 11, including recognition for each player, and two videos consisting of the season’s highlights. The championship game marked the 400th win in the history of the Revere Men’s soccer program.