The Northern Steel 14-and-under boys soccer team already has two-state titles under its belt.

But the team isn't finished just yet.

The Phantoms are traveling to Fort Wayne, Ind., this weekend to compete in one of two regional tournaments. The trip is the team's reward for winning the Pennsylvania Premier Alliance championship in early May.

"This tournament will be against teams from the Midwest: Chicago, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin," said the team coach Kevin Wilhelm.

The weekend of July 2 and 3 will find the Phantoms in Virginia Beach, Va., in the other regional. The team earned a spot at this one by grabbing the PA West title earlier this month.

"The Virginia Beach regional will include the best teams from Maine to Virginia," said Wilhelm.

If the team wins either of the regionals, it will advance to the national tournament in Orlando, Fla., in late July.

The team has a local flavor to it, as 12 of the 18 players attend Butler County schools.

By capturing the PPA and PA West titles, the Phantoms became the first youth team ever to win two state titles in the same season.

Not surprisingly, the squad carries with it a spectacular record of 31-3-1.

"Our only loss was to the current national champion, CASL from North Carolina," said Wilhelm. "It was at a tournament in Virginia back in March and we lost 1-0.

"This team has no weaknesses," said Wilhelm. "We have a lot of speed and depth."

Joe Haefner has manned the net for the Phantoms this season and has been supported by a strong defensive effort.

"We play good defense and it's not coming from just three or four defenders," said Wilhelm. "We are a strong all-around defensive team."

The team's defenders include Jordan Kennedy, Mike Brizzi, Josh Burke, Blake McChesney and Drew Donoghue.

On the offensive end, the Phantoms hit their opponents with a versatile attack.

"We can score on the counterattack, with ball possession and with a direct approach," said Wilhelm. "We're very skillful on offense."

The Phantoms' attackers are Cody Coven, Pete Cline, Kevin Wood, Adam Sharbaugh, Alex Choi, Aaron McGarvey, Adrian Karas and Ethan Green.

Wilhelm noted that many of his team's scoring chances are generated from his midfield, which includes Greg Huger, Scott Sowers and Brandon Zarichnak. Another mid-fielder, Travis Tasker, has been out all season with an injury.

"These kids are an excellent group to coach," Wilhelm said of the team. "I've noticed that they've taken on a lot of my personality on the field. Most times, they react the way I would if I was out there."

Wilhelm is also a Butler County product, graduating from Slippery Rock High School in 1993.

He also is the head coach of Thiel College's men's and women's soccer teams.

"It's my whole life," Wilhelm said of soccer.

Photo: Steel

Submitted photo

Members of the Northern Steel Phantoms 14-and-under boys soccer team that won two state titles are, first row from left: