(This article, reprinted with permission, featuring Scott Dempsey, class of 1983, and the Bexley girls soccer team, appeared in The Columbus Dispatch on August 21, 2007)  9/02/07

BEXLEY PROGRAM BUILT TO LAST
Lions know way to state tournament, set to take next step

By Jeremy McLaughlin

There was a time when the history of the Bexley girls soccer program could be recorded on an index card, there was that little to write.

Note cards have been replaced the past decade by volumes as long as a Harry Potter tale. Though plot lines have varied, nearly each one has the same ending, with the Lions advancing to the Division II state tournament.


This has occurred seven times in the past eight years, including the past three. It is a run unmatched in the Central District. The only thing missing is a championship.

The opportunity for an eighth trip and an elusive title begins Thursday when Bexley opens against Wellington. With all 11 starters back, a state berth is again a possibility, though the players won't admit to it. They would not dare think that far ahead.

"(Coach Scott Dempsey) never lets us get ahead of ourselves," senior defender Brynn Kolada said. "Even if there is that pressure that we have to make it to the state final four or beyond, he settles us down and says we need to focus on what's coming up next."

In fact, "state" is never brought up.

"We talk about effort, trying to create a consistent effort game in and game out throughout the season, and trying to get better," Dempsey said. "The wins and championships are more of a byproduct of that."

That's been the cornerstone of Bexley's success, but it wasn't until Dempsey came on board in 1998 that the Lions started having some. He was given two stipulations when he was hired. One was to establish continuity in the program. The other was to take the team to the next level, which meant win a tournament game.

Not at the state level. Just a sectional game.

Those tasks were achieved in the first season when Bexley reached a district final. The next season it advanced to the state tournament, where it has become a regular fixture.

The bar has been raised so high that there is an expectation from outsiders that Bexley will advance to the state tournament every year. On the inside, there is a different sentiment. Yes, players want to uphold tradition, but they note those are another team's accomplishments. They set their own goals in hopes of creating their own identity.

If that leads to a state berth and maybe a championship, fantastic. But it's not their sole goal.

"That can't be the only thing we focus on because there's much more to being a high school student, much more to life, much more to being a part of this program than that one ultimate victory," Dempsey said.

"We try to create a culture of consistency and excellence. That's what it's all about. ... Our focus is on being the best team we can be, and if we run into a team that is a little better than we are, so be it."

Before Bexley can think about a return trip in November, it must get through a rugged regular-season schedule that features some of Ohio's best teams. Beforehand, there's the always-tough Central District tournament and perhaps two regional games.

If the Lions survive that and get back to the state tournament, it will be well-deserved. If only they thought that far ahead.

"You can't think about it or you'll waste your whole season away," junior midfielder Deena Levey said. "You have to improve (during the season) to get to the places where you want to go."
 

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