The spell has been broken... let the floodgates open.

With all of the success the Hiland boys soccer program has had over the past couple of decades, one would surely think that they would have had a first team All-Ohioan amongst their ranks.

But alas, the voters have not smiled upon the Hawks, despite a run of Regional appearances that would look good on any resume.

That string ended this fall, however, when Hiland senior goalkeeper Dylan Kaufman was chosen as a first team All-Ohioan, an honor his coach said was absolutely the right thing to do.

“Dylan is a phenomenal athlete and became a fantastic goalkeeper over time,” said Hiland coach Scott Bodiker. “He was easily the best goalkeeper that I saw in Division III in Ohio this year, and I saw almost every top team. His combination of size, speed, quickness and sense of anticipation are what set him apart from everyone else.”

Bodiker added that a second Hawk, forward Luke Burch, was also worthy of a first-team All-Ohio nod, but because of the logjam at the forward position, along with the always-present politics that go on in choosing the All-Ohio team, it was not meant to be.

“Honestly, this year I felt we had two players worthy of All-Ohio honors, but it is so hard to get two from the same school on there, even when they are deserving.”