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Celina's Nelson Chapman (14) battles with Ottawa-Glandorf's Larson Kreinbrink for possession of the ball. Chapman scored three goals to help Celina win 6-0, clinching an outright Western Buckeye League title.
CELINA - While Celina's 6-0 win over Ottawa-Glandorf was over before the final whistle blew, the Bulldog faithful were stuck scoreboard watching well after. St. Marys came into the night needing a win to keep pace, but had to settle for a 0-0 draw at Kenton.
That result gave Celina its seventh Western Buckeye League title, and its first since 2023. The Bulldogs won the league at a 6-0-1 league record, good for 19 WBL points.
"It's a great feeling to still have one game to play and wrap up the title." Celina coach Ryan Jenkins said.
"It's always the goal to compete for the WBL and compete for the title. We knew it was going to be tough, but we knew we could compete and win ... it's nice to win a very competitive league."
St. Marys is undefeated in WBL play, but had three draws to sit at 4-0-3 in the league. That's 15 points, four behind Celina with just one game (and a maximum of three points) left.
Celina started its match against Ottawa-Glandorf like a title team, and eventually found a breakthrough through Nelson Champman. The forward had the ball played to his feet, and with the Titans' keeper rushing out, Chapman calmly chipped it over and into the net for a 1-0 lead at the 18:41 mark of the first half.
Celina's Austin Siefring (2) tries to keep the ball away from Ottawa-Glandorf's Wyatt Croy.
In as much time as it takes a crowd to quiet down, Celina got a second goal. Austin Siefring got himself on the end of a cross and powered it past the keeper. In just under 30 seconds, the Bulldogs took a 2-0 lead.
That was the score as the match headed into the halftime break. Celina had the lead, but O-G (2-11-2) had kept pace for most of the half. The Bulldogs outshot the Titans 8-4, including a 5-2 margin in shots on target. Drew Baumstark had a couple of chances come his way, but Celina's keeper had done his job and kept a clean sheet after 40 minutes.
"(Ottawa-Glandorf) played us tough in the first half. It was nice to get a two-goal lead at halftime," Jenkins said. "Offensively we played well, and we defensively played well."
The second half began and Celina carried over their momentum from the first half. Chapman found the back of the net at the 30 minute mark and Celina had a 3-0 lead. It was a good ball into the box, and the Bulldog senior was not even done for the night.
"(The message) at halftime was trying to get that first goal in the second half, ultimately in the first 10 minutes," Jenkins said. "We were able to get it at 30:06, so they barely got that goal, but we got there."
With a lead that big, one might assume Celina would back off and settle down the match. That was not the Bulldog memo. Zaden Rolfes capitalized on a chance to give Celina a 4-0 lead with 22:36 left.
Chapman completed his hat-trick just a few minutes later at the 19:09 mark. He powered a ball past the reach of the Titans' keeper for another insurance goal. It was a 5-0 lead and Celina was cruising.
That score stayed put until the final minute. Issac Helmer broke through the Ottawa-Glandorf defense, and the sophomore midfielder slotted the ball into the net for Celina's sixth goal with 30 seconds left.
All-in-all Celina tallied four goals in the second half off of 24 total shots, 16 of them on target. The Titans had chances late in the match, but could only muster eight shots with four on target.
Celina's Bridon Jeffries (7) and Ottawa-Glandorf's Canton Rieman battle for the ball.
O-G keeper James Niese had a busy second half, but was still able to get 12 saves on the night. Celina's Braylon Steinbrunner was in goal for the second half and saved all five shots he faced, and kept a clean sheet in the process.
"It was nice to get some younger guys in at the end. Everyone got experience and time in a good league win." Jenkins said.
Celina stays home to face Bluffton in a Saturday matinee match. The Bulldogs will look to continue their seven-match unbeaten run.
"We want to finish up strong with Defiance at home next week (in a league match). We want to finish as best we can," Jenkins said.
A win against Defiance would give Celina its fifth unbeaten league title, the first since 2016 (9-0).
