By Eric Frantz For the Dayton Daily News

JAMESTOWN | Greeneview boys soccer coach Bob Eakins thinks the Rams' debut at No. 2 in the Division III state poll might raise some eyebrows. His challenge to doubters Try to escape Jamestown with a goal, let alone victory.

"Some people will question whether that's a legitimate move," Eakins said. "But after you beat the No. 2 and No. 3 teams (in the state) back-to-back it's hard to doubt these kids."

It's hard to dent Greeneview's defense as well.

After entering the state poll for the first time in school history last year when they finished ninth, the Rams made an emphatic return by beating Springfield Catholic Central (3-1) and Bloom-Carroll (2-1) in succession last week. Those teams were ranked two and three in the D-III state poll at the time.

To date, Greeneview, the No. 1 team in the Miami Valley Coaches Association Poll, has scored 54 goals. More impressively, the Rams have allowed just six.

"Offense has been our strength the last two years," Eakins said. "Defensively, I would have never thought we'd be in this situation this year. I never thought they'd be playing at the level they are."

After losing six starters and eight seniors from last year's team, which reached the school's first district final since 1985, Greeneview employed new personnel and philosophies on defense. Four-year starters Jon Hoelle and Jared Randall returned as did Andrew Frye and Martin Ellis (goalie). The newcomers, Zach Davidson and Luke Benton, saw extensive varsity action as backups. All are seniors except Davidson and Frye.

"Last year we got a lot of experience and we pretty much had a second (defensive) lineup ready to go," Benton said. "We lost a lot of talent, but we had some waiting."

Eakins got a glimpse of what to expect when the Rams limited five teams to three goals in a super scrimmage at Ottawa-Glandrof. His smile got bigger when Greeneview beat Yellow Springs 5-0 in the opener. The Bulldogs handed Greeneview a 5-1 setback in the district final last year.

"The first game against Yellow Springs I realized we had something special," Eakins said. "It wasn't so much that they didn't get shots off because they did, but it was that they didn't get any shots that weren't challenged. No matter where Yellow Springs had the ball they were covered."

Intelligence is the unit's strength according to Eakins. Position, communication and the ability of outside mids Branden Pike and John Davidson to drop back and help regularly also helps.

"All of us communicate really well," Hoelle said. "We're constantly talking when we're out there."

Said Benton: "There's always someone there."

Opponents would agree.

Before surrendering two goals to Greenon last Saturday, the Rams' third game in five days, Greeneview had allowed just four scores in 10 contests. Northeastern, Greeneview's opponent Thursday, and Miami Valley are the only other teams to score.

Should Greeneview continue its trend, the school record for goals allowed in a season could fall. The 2001 squad allowed only 16 goals, while the previous record of 17 was set in 1985 — Eakins' senior year.

"At Yellow Springs I realized you're going to have to be a pretty good team to score on us," the coach said. "And we've done a good job of keeping that up."

Said Hoelle: "With the amount of talent we have on defense, it's nice to know that every time there's a shot it's going to be contested."

View Article at DDN