By Erica Solvig
The Cincinnati Enquirer

MADEIRA - Several hundred people decked in blue and yellow turned out Sunday afternoon to support their state championship soccer team.

The boys' varsity team, 23-0 for the season, won the District III championship Nov. 8 against Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy.

Sunday's pep rally - complete with cheerleaders, the band, and school and city officials - was a chance for the community to celebrate the win. The Mustangs were only the fourth undefeated and untied team to win a state championship.

"I'm really grateful of all the support," said coach Jon Unger, who was honored as statewide Division III boys' soccer coach of the year. "And I believe there's a lot more state championships to come."

Vicki Englehart of Madeira and her three children ages 6 to 9 - all soccer players - had followed the team all season and didn't want to miss Sunday's rally.

"I really think they were an inspiration to the younger players," said the 40-year-old mom, who purchased soccer state champion T-shirts for all the kids. "Just listen to them speak today - all their talks were unselfish."

Many of the players who spoke during the rally thanked the coaches for their dedication and support. They also attributed part of the success to the supportive fans.

"Every game was like a state championship game. Before every game, we would visualize winning and holding up that trophy," said 17-year-old Wayne Memmott, a senior. "But no matter what happened during the game, we had fans who would support us."

After the rally, the players lined up to sign autographs.

The large crowd surprised a few players, including Ben Riedel.

"I only expected it to be a couple of parents and some little kids. I didn't really expect all this," the 17-year-old senior said. "It's pretty amazing just to think that we won the state championship. The fact that we have all this community support is even better."

E-mail esolvig@enquirer.com