By Eric Frantz For the Dayton Daily News

RIVERSIDE | A year ago Carroll climbed to the top of the boys soccer state poll for the first time in school history. Now the tradition-rich Patriots can't seem to shake No. 1.

The 2004 AP Division II poll champion, Carroll is the top team in the first D-II state poll released this week. The Patriots are undefeated (3-0) and have outscored the opposition 21-2.

"We're sponsored by Target," Carroll coach Scott Molfenter said half-jokingly. "We've got a big bulls-eye on our back and without question the ranking is a motivation for all opponents. The big thing we've been telling the kids is it doesn't really mean anything come tournament time."

Carroll will use its last two tournament runs for self-motivation.

The Patriots have been the most successful team in Dayton the last two years, advancing to two straight D-II state semifinals. Each time Carroll has lost to the eventual state champion. Last season Pataskala Watkins Memorial outlasted the Pats 3-2. In 2003 Bexley won a 3-2 shootout.

"I know it's cliché but we're really emphasizing taking one game at a time," Molfenter said. "It would be a huge mistake to look past any area teams and to state. We're trying to abide by that."

Opponents will undoubtedly have Carroll circled. Hanging a loss on the Pats won't be so easy.

Last year Carroll had 16 different players score at least one goal and early season returns suggest the Patriots are just as deep offensively. In a 9-0 win over Fairborn, Carroll had 10 different players register a goal or assist.

"We spread it around," Molfenter said. "We try to put a lineup on the field so that the opposition can't hone in on one guy. We take a lot of pride in possession and midfield play and we continually move the ball."

At the core of Carroll's success is a group of experienced seniors.

Midfielders Tyler Berry and Jeff Popella are back for the third season on varsity as are Ben Christoff, Andrew Karmele and James Campbell. Junior James Haley is a three-year varsity player too.

"Traditionally in our program it's pretty rare to have that many third-year varsity players," Molfenter said. "We were just young a couple years ago and had some small classes and those guys stepped into important roles and really stepped up."

Popella was the Pats' leading scorer a year ago, while Berry was first team Mid-Miami League North.

Carroll returns 11 players including seven who Molfenter said have extensive starting experience.

Before the Patriots enter the postseason, they'll attempt to continue their dominance of the MML. Carroll has won 18 straight league titles and is 101-0-2 in MML games since Molfenter took over as coach in 1992. The pressure of keeping that streak alive is solid practice for what Carroll hopes is another successful regular-season run as the state's top team.

"We stress that we know we're going to get everyone's 'A' game," Molfenter said. "Hopefully we bring our own as well."

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