DELAWARE — Being a center back doesn’t bring many scoring opportunities in the normal flow of a soccer match. So, Ella Dusenberry does most of her damage on set pieces.
A staple on Olentangy Berlin’s back line for the last two seasons, the senior has recently added another dimension to her game this year: scoring.
Dusenberry has nine goals, most coming off set pieces, including three in the Bears’ season-opening win over Dublin Scioto on Aug. 14.
“Being the first game and I had already had (as many goals) as I did last season was crazy,” said Dusenberry, who is committed to the University of Iowa. “I think it got my confidence up and got me excited for the rest of the season.”
She takes most free kick opportunities, and her six-foot frame allows her to use her size in the box to score goals off corner kicks.
Dusenberry’s nine goals are tied for the team lead with sophomore forward Zoe Barnett to help the Bears to a 10-1-1 overall record. Barnett also has three assists.
Berlin is ranked third in the latest MaxPreps Division I rankings, updated Sept. 28. They own victories over second-ranked Dublin Jerome (3-2 on Sept. 22), sixth-ranked Olentangy Liberty (4-0 on Aug. 25) and eighth-ranked and reigning state champion Upper Arlington (2-1 on Sept. 10).
Photos by Taylor Henninger. Story continues below.
The Bears’ only loss came to fifth-ranked Dublin Coffman 1-0 on Aug. 20 and they tied Westerville Central 0-0 on Sept. 1. Berlin has outscored opponents 12-3 during its current five-match winning streak.
“My teammates are amazing,” Dusenberry said. “We all push each other at every practice and every game.
“I think the biggest adjustment (for me) is just having more of a voice in learning how to lead the team,” she said. “I think last year, I was more just lead-by-example and do the right thing. This year, I have to be more vocal.”
Junior forward Maya Alonso has five goals and three assists, sophomore midfielder/defender Maddison Rossiaky has seven assists and junior midfielder AJ Richardson has six assists heading into Berlin’s home match against Marysville on Sept. 29.
The Bears are 3-0 in OCC-Central Division play and can clinch at least a share of their second consecutive league title with a win over the Monarchs.
Dusenberry is a stalwart on a defense that’s posted eight shutouts this season, including a stretch of five in a row. Sophomore goalie Nora Miller has 40 saves and allowed just four goals this season.
The added offensive dimension pales in comparison to her role as a leader, second-year coach Mike Kalan said.
“I think that was a really big step for her because we lost eight seniors last year,” Kalan said. “She’s quiet but has a strong confidence. She’s very in tune with her family and that’s how she presents herself with her teammates because we’ve really built a culture that’s family-esque.”
It was Dusenberry’s family that played a big role in her taking up soccer in the first place. Her older sister Gracie Dusenberry, a 2025 Berlin graduate, was Ella’s inspiration.
Ella took up soccer at a young age, playing on the same Classic Eagles club team as her sister. Ella didn’t have much fun with the sport at first and decided to stop playing for a year. It was Gracie that brought her back.
“I didn’t know if soccer was the sport for me,” Ella said. “I think when I stopped playing, watching her play made me miss it so much. I think wanting to play with her, practice with her (and) do everything with her made me just want to play again.”
Ella improved in her role as a center back and switched clubs to Ohio Premier. She made varsity for Berlin as a junior.
“Last year, she was instrumental in us setting our school record in shutouts (with 14),” Kalan said. “We’re on pace to maybe breaking that this year.
“She’s a tremendous defender. She’s really good in the air and a weapon for us on corners. She has a really good shot (on our free kicks). She makes the most of her opportunities.”
The Bears, who have reached the regional round in each of the last four seasons, played for a regional championship last season for the first time since the school opened in 2018.
“I think we’ve definitely improved so much from the beginning of the season,” Dusenberry said. “Obviously, our goal is to go far in the tournament.
“But I think one of our main goals is just keep working as a team. Even if we don’t get the results, overcoming adversity and stuff like that is just as important.”
