Still basking in the aftermath of the Division I state title, the Gahanna Lincoln High School boys soccer team has had little time to think about next year.

Perhaps that is because the roster included 14 seniors.

"It's been crazy around here," said senior defensive midfielder Jon Grooms. "Everywhere we go, people want to talk to us about it. It's amazing. It hasn't truly sunk in yet, because things haven't settled down and there hasn't been much time to reflect. But every time I do think about winning it, it does give me chills."

The Lions defeated Cleveland St. Ignatius 1-0 (4-3 in a shootout) in the championship game on Nov. 13 in Crew Stadium to finish 22-0-1. The lone blemish was a scoreless tie Oct. 8 at Watkins Memorial.

"The team chemistry was through the roof," said Grooms, who shared captain duties with senior goalkeeper Ryan Grimme and junior forward Wil Trapp. "We bonded well because we've been friends and teammates for a long time. We played with composure and the defense was excellent. We had players who combined to miss up to 12 games for a number of reasons, but we stuck together and they strengthened the bench and gave us depth when we needed it."

Coach Dwayne Marshall said injuries, illness, suspensions and the absence of Trapp for a week to attend the U.S. 16-year-old training camp in California strengthened the resolve of the Lions.

Grimme, who posted 19 shutouts and allowed four goals all season, not including the shootout in the title game, also thought the closeness was key.

"We've played together for so long and the team chemistry we have is the best you could ask for," he said. "The guys who weren't starting were supportive and not trying to cause trouble. In fact, they practiced extremely tough and that made the team that much better."

Gahanna won its sixth consecutive league title by going 6-0 in the OCC-Ohio Division. Pickerington North (4-1-1), Pickerington Central (3-1-2), Reynoldsburg (2-2-2), Lancaster (2-3-1), Groveport (1-5) and Newark (0-6) followed.

In the district, the Lions had a first-round bye, then beat Walnut Ridge 6-0 on Oct. 24, Hilliard Darby 3-0 on Oct. 28 and Dublin Coffman 1-0 in the final Oct. 31 as senior midfielder Cody Popelas scored in the 62nd minute.

In the regional, the Lions beat Hilliard Davidson 2-1 in overtime on Nov. 3 and Olentangy Orange 1-0 on Nov. 7.

Senior forward Sean Lipps scored in overtime against Davidson and junior forward Chris Davis got the lone goal against Orange.

Gahanna dominated Beavercreek 2-0 in a state semifinal on Nov. 10 at Hilliard Bradley, as Popelas scored both goals.

Scoring shootout goals in the championship were Lipps, senior defender Zach McClurg, junior defender Trevor Gates and Trapp.

Grimme (first team), center back Ben Witkoff (second), Lipps (second), Grooms (second), Popelas (special mention) and midfielder Saad Abdul-Salaam (honorable mention) were all-league. Grimme also was second-team all-district. Rounding out the senior class were Andrew Burson (defender), Scott Chadbourne (midfielder), Shawn Chadbourne (midfielder), Steven Chrobak (defender), Christian Conte (defender), Taylor Cooper (midfielder) and Ethan Guinty (midfielder).

Expected to return are juniors Ben Crognale (forward) and Tyler Wollum (forward), as well as Davis, Gates and Trapp.

Trapp was the OCC-Ohio Player of the Year and Davis was on first team. Both also were first-team all-district. Marshall was the district Coach of the Year.

"I think, with Wil and Chris back to lead the way, they'll definitely score next season," Grooms said. "I think they'll reload. There are some really good players on the junior varsity who can step up next year and fill some of those defensive holes. If they can do that, I think they'll be able to be the top team in the district again."

At a glance

•Record: 22-0-1 overall; 6-0 (first) OCC-Ohio

•Seniors lost: Saad Abdul-Salaam, Andrew Burson, Scott Chadbourne, Shawn Chadbourne, Steven Chrobak, Christian Conte, Taylor Cooper, Ryan Grimme, Ethan Guinty, Jon Grooms, Sean Lipps, Zach McClurg, Cody Popelas and Ben Witkoff

•Key returnees: Ben Crognale, Chris Davis, Trevor Gates, Wil Trapp and Tyler Wollum