Loveland, Ohio – Loveland High School Head Women’s Soccer coach Todd Kelly is stepping down.
The Soccer program announced on X, “We say goodbye to a legend and could not be more thankful for the impact Coach Kelly has made on this program and the Loveland soccer community. Retiring after 29 years, he set the standard and gave us so many moments to celebrate. You will be missed, but forever a Tiger!”
Pending Board of Education Approval, Craig Chimiel will lead the Women’s Soccer Program.
Photo Shayne Lyons @Loveland_AsstAD
Kelly has numerous District championships and Eastern Cincinnati Conference titles under his belt.
In 2017, Coach Kelly led the Tigers to a State Div I Championship and were runners-up in 2015.
Follow the link below to the Loveland Magazine story with still photos and video.
Colleen “Jelly” Swift hoists the state champion trophy (Loveland Magazine file photo)
Loveland, Ohio – Loveland High School is staying “Loveland Strong” by keeping both their students and athletes motivated through virtual classes and workouts! This year during these unfamiliar times, LHS coaches are dedicating a lot of their time to making sure their athletes are staying in shape.
This week we chatted with LHS’s Women’s Soccer Coach, Todd Kelly, to see just what his team is doing to stay in competition shape during the COVID-19 Stay At Home Order! Coach Kelly told us that in late February the coaching staff designed a series of workouts that are released to the team every couple weeks.
LHS’s Women’s Soccer Coach, Todd Kelly (Loveland Magazine file photo)
“These workouts are specific to what we do as a program so they focus on things we believe are inherent to the success of the women’s soccer program,” Kelly explained, “Anyone that has been in the program knows this and passes on the importance of the workouts to our incoming freshmen. Each day the girls can choose between a beginning workout, intermediate workout, or an advanced workout…so they have three choices each day depending on how they feel.”
Coach Kelly said that in order to encourage unity within the team, the coaching staff asked the 9 returning varsity juniors and seniors to be group leaders. The group leaders are responsible for following up with 6 to 7 players every day about how their individual workout went.
Maria Bashardoust during the 2019 season. Maria has committed to play for Cleveland State this Fall. (Loveland Magazine file photo)
“Each individual player in their respective group sends a snapshot of themselves after the workout each day, also indicating how they feel and which workout they completed,” Kelly said, “As you can imagine, the snapshots have continued to get more creative with text, emojis’, etc. They have even come up with taglines on their snapshots and also on twitter like #Beastssss, #LetsGetIt, and #WinTheOffseason to name just a few. The 9 leaders are assigned to one of the varsity coaches who they connect with every day by sending their group’s snapshots. These snapshots are compiled every two weeks and sent out to the players and parents in a video for them to watch so they can know what each of their teammates is doing. This has also created a little bit of a rivalry on which group or individual can come up with the best snapshots,” Kelly added.
The LHS Women’s Soccer coaching staff provided the women’s team with shirts in early March to keep them motivated to keep pushing themselves. Kelly said most of the team wear the shirts during each of their workouts.
The shirts above are the workout shirts the LHS Women’s Soccer Team has been wearing during the COVID-19 outbreak to stay motivated!
“In addition, the leaders have gone to the houses of their group members and left chalk messages on the driveway to help support and motivate them. We have the coaches and girls answering 12-15 questions about themselves on a slide with pictures, designs, etc. that represent them, kind of a “Get to Know” them or an “In the Spotlight” feature so they can learn more about their teammates while we are away from each other,” Kelly said, “We will put all these together into a slide show that we will send out each week with 7-10 new entries. We also have former players including some as far back as 2010 (and earlier) and some from our State Championship team that reached out and sent a 1-2 minute video message we are sending the current players to encourage them. These former players know the importance of what we do in the workouts and they wanted to encourage the current players during this difficult time to make sure they are staying focus and doing what needs to be done. They all view each other as one big family regardless of when you graduate…once a Tiger, always a Tiger,” Kelly said.
The 2017 State Champion Ring (Loveland Magazine file photo)
Coach Kelly really wanted to focus on the team connecting during these tough times so the coaches decided to hold a Zoom call every 2 weeks with all the team leaders and their groups. This has allowed each player in the Women’s Soccer program to get an idea of what is going on and has allowed the coaches to see how each player is doing, if they have any struggles, and how they can help support each player.
LHS’s Women’s Soccer Coach, Todd Kelly (Loveland Magazine file photo)
“As a result, we are connecting with either our leaders or our players each week on a video call. Since the leaders have access to a coaching staff member, we are interacting each day to ensure they have what they need to get through these unchartered times,” Kelly explained, “These are just a few of things we as a staff and program are doing to stay connected with our players and encourage them. It is important we all stay connected and supported and we want the girls to continue working out for their physical and mental health…and ours too.”
Thank you to all the LHS staff, coaches, administrators, and parents for keeping the students motivated and dedicated to bettering themselves as students and athletes! Here at Loveland Magazine, we will continue to bring the latest updates on COVID-19 and the effects it’s having on the community of Loveland as well as the latest LHS news!
Stayed tuned for the next “What are LHS Athletes Doing to Stay in Shape” segment!
Congrats to Jessie Gibbins who was the top HS girl finisher in the 37th Annual Newtown 5k Run with a time of 19:57
Loveland, Ohio – Loveland Tiger fans gather around as August 1st marked the first official day of Loveland High School Fall sports! With scrimmages, practices and pre-season tournaments in full swing, the Tigers have been really working hard to get prepared for the first competition of the 2019-2020 season and Loveland Magazine plans on being there every step of the way! Each week we will be releasing a summary informing our readers about what has been going in the world of Loveland High School sports. There is nothing more important than the future of our community and our children so by releasing the Loveland Sports 411 each week we believe this will get the community and the children the recognition they deserve!
Last Thursday Loveland High School welcomed Tiger fans to the 2019-2020 Meet the Team Night. The scene was set in the Loveland High School gym where the marching band kicked off the night with a performance followed by the Tiger Cheerleaders putting on quite the show! The following teams and coaches were introduced on Thursday night to their friends, families and die-hard Tiger fans, Girls Volleyball coached by Brain Baugh, Girls Soccer coached by Todd Kelly, Boys Soccer coached by Mike Dunlap, Girls Tennis coached by Dara Hudson, Girls Golf coached by Barb Orsinelli, Boys Golf coached by David Allan, Cheer Team coached by Emily Christman, Boys and Girls Cross Country coached by Steve Nester and Football coached by Andy Cruse.
Fall Sports 2019 Meet the Team Video with music by the marching band:
Introducing the LHS Cheer Teams led by Head Coach Emily Christman!
This week several Loveland High School teams participated in competitions where many of the Tiger athletes already started making a name for themselves!
Introducing the Girls Volleyball Team, led by Head Coach Brian Baugh! Go Tigers!Follow Loveland Girls Volleyball at https://twitter.com/lovelandtigersv
The Girls Volleyball team competed in a scrimmage against former state champions, Ursuline, on Friday night. The Tigers made a strong showing on Friday that got many fans on twitter excited for the season!
The Girls Volleyball Teams have a couple of games this week, one that will take place on August 13th at 9:30 PM against Lakota East at LHS and another that will take place on August 17th at Fairfield High school at Noon.
Introducing the Girls Soccer Teams, led by Head Coach Todd Kelly!Introducing the Boys Soccer teams, led by Head Coach Mike Dunlap!
The Boys and Girls Soccer Team participated in some hard-fought scrimmage battles this week in preparation for their first games of the season. The Girls Soccer Team faced Lakota East on Wednesday at LHS while the Boys Soccer Team faced Indian Hill on Tuesday at Indian Hill High School and Elder on Thursday at Elder High School. The Girls Soccer Team will be back in action this week for a scrimmage at LHS against Seton on Monday at 7 PM and then again on Tuesday at Seton High School at 7 PM. The Boys Soccer Team will be kicking there way to Carrol High School for a scrimmage Tuesday at 7 PM.
Introducing the Girls Tennis teams, led by Head Coach Dara Hudson!
The Girls Tennis team has been working hard in practice preparing for their first matches, which will be on Monday, August 12th at Beavercreek at 4 PM and Wednesday, August 14th at Wyoming at 4 PM.
Introducing the Boys Golf team, led by Head Coach David Allan!
The Girls and Boys Golf Teams had several successful swings at the ECC Preseason Tournament this week. The ECC Preseason Tournament for the Boys Golf Team was held on August 7th at Glenview Golf Course, where the Tigers finished at the top making them the official ECC Preseason Tournament Champions. The Tigers won with 302 strokes nearly eight strokes ahead of Anderson. Loveland’s very own Tyler Vallee was the top medalist with 70 strokes for the Tigers. The ECC Preview for the Girls Golf Team was held on August 8th at Walden Ponds Golf Course. The Tigers rallied together and finished 5th with 392 strokes. Allison Rountree was the top lady Tiger finisher, placing 9th overall with 83 strokes.
Both Loveland High School and many proud parents took photos from the preseason tournament. Check them out on Instagram and Twitter.
The Girls Golf Team will be back in action at Turpin on the Terrace Park CC on August 12th at 3 PM and then again on August 13th against Anderson at Reeves at 3:25 PM. The Boys Golf Team will compete on August 15th at Hickory Woods Golf Course against Anderson at 4 PM.
Introducing the Boys Cross-Country program, led by Head Coach Steve Nester!Congrats to Jessie Gibbins who was the top HS girl finisher in the 37th Annual Newtown 5k Run with a time of 19:57
Although the Boys and Girls Cross Country teams haven’t competed in any ECC meets yet, as they will first compete at Moeller on August 23rd for the Primetime Invitational, both teams got a little preseason competition on Saturday at the 37th Annual Newtown 5k Run. Photos of the big run were captured by many of the runner’s families and friends on Saturday! Check them out on Twitter, and here on Twitter.
Introducing the Football Teams, led by Head Coach Andy Cruse!
The Loveland Tigers Football Team has been putting in a lot of preseason hard work with their new head coach, Andy Cruse! The Tigers put their preseason hard work to use this week as they participated in a scrimmage Friday at home against New Richmond in preparation for their first official game, which takes place on August 30th at Sycamore at 7 PM. The team will travel to scrimmage Fairmont High school Friday, August 16th at 7 PM and then Loveland High School will host a jamboree against Northwest High School Friday, August 23rd at 7 PM for their last pre-season game.
….and that’s the weekly Loveland Sports 411 with Cassie Mattia.
Columbus, Ohio– On Friday, 11/10, Loveland High School soccer competed for the Division I state title at the Columbus MAPFRE stadium. The team bested Perrysburg High School 1-0, earning Loveland the OHSAA state championship. Junior Brooke Harden scored the winning goal with 21:20 remaining in the first half. The two teams battled for the next hour but failed to score again.
Loveland competed in the state championship in 2015 and fell to Walsh Jesuit. The freshman and sophomore players– now juniors and seniors– made it their mission to come back and claim the title. Players wrote messages about “The Mission” over car windows and fans held signs. The team was sent off to Columbus Thursday evening with a performance from the Loveland Marching Band, a police and fire escort out of the City, and a crowd gathered on a Loveland street corner to wave and cheer to the busses. At MAPFRE stadium, the home of the Columbus Crew, Loveland bolstered a packed stadium section of enthusiastic black-and-orange spectators with face paint and noisemakers.
Players enter the field lead by Brooke Harden, Colleen “Jelly” Swift and Lauren Williams
A determined Taylor Thole enters the stadium
Senior Tanner Miller poses from the fan section
The Loveland Women’s varsity soccer team
Casey West and Max Savage wait for the game to begin
Lauren Williams embraces Colleen “Jelly” Swift before the game, shouting about how she is ready to win
Lauren Williams laughs before beginning to warm up for the game against Perrysburg
Seniors Adam Clark and Gabe Harden pose from the stands
Ricky Vilar, Adam Paddock and Game Harden pose from the stands
Goalie Lauren Parker warms up before the game
Pete Matuszak begrudgingly accepts a headband from athletic director Julie Renner
Tiger Nation prepares for the game to begin
Shirtless fans stand in 20 degree fall weather
Carson Sencde, Tyler Dombrowski and Jack Stewart pose
Lauren Parker and Riley Massey huddle before the game
Loveland ends their pre-game huddle
Watch Loveland defeat Perrysburg and claim the state title:
For around an hour, Perrysburg fought without avail to take away the one-point lead Loveland held. Perrysburg attempted to score several times (notably within the last minute) but goalie and senior Lauren Parker consistently deflected and guarded the goal. Parker earned her 50th career shutout. She will play for the Miami Redhawks next year.
“I can’t even put it into words. We’ve had this goal since we lost two years ago and we just did it. That’s all I can say,” Parker told Loveland Magazine in a post-game interview.
Colleen Swift competes for the ball against Perrysburg
Colleen “Jelly” Swift falls after being fouled
Kaitlyn Andrews fights for the ball
Brooke Harden steals the ball from Perrysburg
Brooke Harden competes for the ball
Brooke Harden passes to a teammate
Zach Jacobs and Joey Fields take a break from drumming on a bucket
Brooke Harden drives to score the winning point
The team celebrates after Hardin’s goal midway though the first half
Brooke Harden attempts to steal the ball from Perrysburh
Kaitlyn Andrews fights for the ball
Colleen “Jelly” Swift gains control of the ball
Colleen Swift fights for the ball
Junior, Brooke Harden, kicks the ball away from Perrysburg
Southwest Ohio has formed a women’s soccer dynasty of sorts, claiming all the division state titles this year. Indian Hill took home division III, Summit Country Day Division II and Loveland Division I. Summit Country Day also won Divison III men’s soccer.
Sarah Harter fights for the ball
As the game neared an end, the stands turned to bedlam and rowdy excitement. Fans jumped, screamed, and cheered as it became clear that Loveland would take home the State Champion trophy.
When the clock hit zero, the team burst into emotion and ecstatic tears. Coaches and players embraced, jumped and screamed. A sign stating “The Mission Is Complete” appeared in the hands of players, while parents and friends embraced over the fence.
“It feels like we broke through a limit that was set two years ago”
“It feels like we broke through a limit that was set two years ago when we came in second. It felt like we finally accomplished the goal we had been working so hard for every year,” said Senior Colleen “Jelly” Swift.
Loveland paid their respects to the state runner-up while Perrysburg accepted their trophy and medals. Loveland players encouraged each other to clap for each opposing player and congratulate them on their success.
“As a coach, I am so proud of these kids and this program, but I am equally proud to have coached so many amazing young ladies. I am exceptionally of the fine young women they have turned out to be. The love and support that our alumni have shown through the years have been off the charts, as has Tiger Nation. Thanks to the Loveland community, alumni and administration… this one’s for you,” head coach Todd Kelly said in an official release.
A teary-eyed Julie Rener (athletic director) handed state champion medals to euphoric players and coaches. Teammates hugged and cried into each other’s shoulders in excited shock. Parents screamed and fans hollered. There was hardly a dry eye on the loveland side of the MAPFRE field.
“We became a family this season because we wanted to play for the player standing next to us and we did not want to let them down”
“I still can’t believe we just won state. It’s like it hasn’t processed into my brain yet because it’s just so amazing and unbelievable… We became a family this season because we wanted to play for the player standing next to us and we did not want to let them down. Also, I️ think our little saying, “Humble and Hungry”, played a big role in every one of us through our mission. Everyone used that to their own abilities which made us unstoppable,” Brooke Harden told Loveland Magazine.
Emily Kubin tears up after winning state
Sarah Harter watches Lauren Willaism embrace Maria Bashardoust after their win
Coach Todd Kelly hugs Lauren Parker
Riley Massey in excited shock
Brooke Harden holds a young fan, the son of a Loveland coach.
Emily Kubin wipes away tears of joy next to a belary-eyed Jelly Swift
Julie Renner hugs Brice Grieshop
Colleen “Jelly” Swift accepts her medal
Principal Peggy Johnson hugs head coach Todd Kelly
Jordan Morrison accepts her medal
Lauren Williams stands with her senior peers while Jerry Snodgrass congratulates them
Julie Renner holds the trophy
Jerry Snodgrass gives the State Champion trophy to Loveland
Loveland hoists their trophy
Colleen Swift holds a trophy
A crying fan and friend greets a player
A parent hugs a player
Loveland Athletic Booster President, Jeff Williams presents State Champion shirts to the team. Shirts will be availble for sale at Loveland High School.
Players run towards the emptying stands holding signs stating “the mission is complete”
Brooke Harden and Claire Massey pose after winning
Brooke Harden and Claire Massey embrace
Sarah Harter poses with a friend
Players leave the stadium, still teary-eyed and overjoyed
“You were not only humble but hungry all the time. It’s amazing, two years later, what you can accomplish if you stay focused,” OHSAA Director of Sports Management, Jerry Snodgrass told Loveland seniors after calling them forward.
Loveland Varsity women’s soccer poses after their win with the scoreboard in the backgroundColleen “Jelly” Swift hoists the trophy with the scoreboard in the backgroundLauren Parker (center) poses with friends for a selfie
Lauren Williams and Maria Bashardoust pose after winning
“It’s hard to believe that the mission is over. The last four years with Loveland Soccer has been a blessing to me. The girls, the coaches, and the support from the community is more than I could’ve ever asked for. This state championship has been in the making for many years. All of the alumni who taught each of us what Loveland soccer is about are the ones who made last night possible. I’m proud to be part of something so special,” said Sarah Harter after the game.
Loveland ended their season 22-1 win-loss. Colleen Swift was named the ECC women’s soccer athlete of the year and Todd Kelly coach of the year. Brice Grieshop, Brooke Harden, Riley Massey, Lauren Parker and Colleen Swift were named First Team ECC all-conference selections. Colleen Swift and Lauren Parker have been named to the Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association Division I First Team.
Loveland Magazine extends its thanks and congratulations to the 2017 Loveland Varsity women’s soccer team. We would like to offer special thanks to Head Coach Todd Kelly, Athletic Director Julie Renner, Lauren Parker and everyone who has offered their time for interviews and photos. Great job, team — it’s been a pleasure reporting on your incredible journey to a State Championship.
-Writer/photographer Sam Smith and publisher David Miller
Thank you Jarvis Global Investments and Art Jarvis for supporting and making it possible for Loveland Magazine to cover Loveland Sports.
Jarvis Global is an investment advisory firm in Symmes Township, Ohio which offers private portfolio management and retirement services to high net worth individuals.
by Cassie Mattia
![Loveland women’s soccer: state champions [photo gallery+video]](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/featureb.jpg)
