Ontario coach Atkinson picks up milestone win in victory over Madison
· Yahoo Sports
ONTARIO — Ontario girls soccer coach Larry Atkinson is as old school as it gets.
At the end of each season, he breaks out his pen and notebook paper that has every single one of his 20 completed seasons and the overall records of those seasons with the championships won written in them and adds that year’s numbers.
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His son and assistant coach, Greg Atkinson, on the other hand has a sophisticated Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that he updates on a game-by-game basis with goals scored, assists, saves and wins and losses. So, when it came down to the debate on what his father’s career coaching record was heading into the Warriors’ nonconference Richland County rivalry game against Madison on Tuesday, Aug. 25, it was Greg’s numbers that were legit. If it were up to Larry, a milestone victory would have come one too soon.
During a 2-0 win over Madison, Larry Atkinson earned career win No. 300 making him 300-81-30 just two games into his 21st season as head coach of the Ontario girls soccer program.
Thank goodness for technology.
“Nowadays, it is a pretty good accomplishment given the turnover of coaches,” Atkinson said. “It certainly isn’t something I think about on a daily basis, but it does mean a lot to me. I have been blessed to be around some of the best players to ever play at this school and some of the most supportive families. My coaching staff is second to none with Gregory (Atkinson) being with be for 16 years and Stacy (Seif) for six with Addison (Sandru) just coming on this year. They deserve to share this accomplishment because they believe in what we want to accomplish.”
Atkinson took over the girls soccer program in 2006 and started building one of the most successful girls soccer programs in Richland County. Under Atkinson, Ontario has nine league championships (2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2025), nine district titles (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2024 and 2025), eight district runners-up (2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023), three regional crowns (2010, 2012, 2025) and a state runner-up finish in 2012. He averages more than 14 victories per season.
But that isn’t what his focus is when he steps on the pitch.
“It is not all about soccer,” Atkinson said. “It is about helping these kids get prepared for the next phase of their lives by teaching them how to deal with adversity and getting them to compete at their highest level. Enjoying the sport is what it is all about. People think it is all about the wins and that couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s about enjoying what you do, supporting your teammates and school and understand that this program is something a lot of people in the state of Ohio look up to.”
Ontario junior Kamryn Pelphrey, who scored the defacto game-winning goal with a rocket of a shot with 11:53 remaining in the first half off of an assist from Ella Them before Jordyn Yeager added the dagger with 15:20 remaining in the game off of a free kick, was happy to help Atkinson reach his milestone victory.
“Larry is such a supportive coach who knows what he is doing,” Pelphrey said. “He is also a players coach who asks for our feedback and makes sure we are part of the decisions and that makes him special. He is a players coach and that makes him fun to play for.”
The Warriors slugged it out with their Richland County rival in a game that never disappoints pitting the offensive strength of Ontario against the defensive power of Madison. The Warriors struggled to find clear lanes for shots all night.
“We were all getting a little bit frustrated, but it was more on us because our energy wasn’t where it needed to be,” Pelphrey said. “It got better because we scored and it gave everyone a boost to the point we added another.”
Pelphrey scored her first goal of the season as her role continues to evolve into more of an offensive threat despite being a top-tier defensive player. She was thrilled with the goal.
“We were just working that space the whole time and I saw the run back underneath and it gave me space, so I took it,” Pelphrey said. “It was really special because Ella is my best friend and we have been waiting for that connection. First goal of the season couldn’t have been more perfect.”
A perfect goal for a perfect milestone win. The Warriors have built a reputation on the pitch and within the program as a team to always be taken seriously. It’s what makes higher division teams seek a game with Ontario because they know its great competition.
“We challenge ourselves with a tough schedule and we never rebuild,” Atkinson said. “We are always looking two years down the road to see what we have coming and how to build that. We always work on chemistry and learning from our mistakes. The last 20 years have made me tired, but the success of the team means way more than 300 victories.”
How many more victories does Atkinson have left? As long as he enjoys the gig, he isn’t going anywhere.
“Seeing the enjoyment out of the kids is what keeps me showing up every day,” Atkinson said. “If I didn’t enjoy it and knew what I was trying to get them to understand and believe in wasn’t happening, then it’s time for me to get out. I am not going to stick around if I am not being productive as a coach and impacting kids. Once that happens, that’s when I will give it up.”
And maybe then he can retire the 21-year-old notebook paper with his scribbles on it and pick up on some technology.
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Ontario coach Atkinson picks up milestone win in victory over Madison