Ramstein striker Jace Monson shoots the ball while holding off SHAPE center back Tycho Kluivert during the Division I final of the DODEA European championships on May 23, 2024, at Ramstein High School on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany – The knockout stages of the Division I DODEA European boys soccer tournament became a revenge tour for Ramstein.

The Royals started it with a win over Stuttgart in the semifinals on Wednesday after losing their lone meeting with the Panthers in the regular season.

Next up was SHAPE. The Spartans handed Ramstein three losses heading into Thursday evening’s championship match and were looking to add to that tally.

When the final whistle blew, though, the Royals were the ones celebrating. Ramstein took a lead early and staved off a late SHAPE charge to win 2-1, bringing back the European trophy to the school after not making the final last year.

“We just had to believe in ourselves,” senior co-captain Maxim Speed said. “We had to believe in small goals. Every tackle we have to win, every pass we have to play, we have to keep our heads clear, we have to stay focused. And we did that.”

One of those losses to the Spartans (10-2) came just two days prior in pool-play action. Overall, the previous three meetings went 9-3 in favor of SHAPE, with the Royals (9-4) dropping a 5-1 decision on the road May 4.

Instead of letting those losses bring them down, Ramstein coach Dominik Ludes said his players saw them as opportunities to learn. It culminated in the title.

“Yes, we had our ups and downs; yes, we lost three times to that team,” Ludes said. “This tournament proved that yes, we lost to a lot of teams throughout the regular season, but they didn’t get discouraged by that. They were actually motivated by that to become better.”

SHAPE forward Santiago Torrente de la Pisa and Ramstein defender Caio Anderson go up to head a ball during the Division I final of the DODEA European championships on May 23, 2024, at Ramstein High School on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Ramstein midfielder Maxim Speed pokes the ball toward goal while SHAPE midfielder Jorge Nubla go to block it during the Division I final of the DODEA European championships on May 23, 2024, at Ramstein High School on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

SHAPE center back Jose Labella goes to kick the ball long while Ramstein striker Joseph Yost sticks out a leg to block the pass during the Division I final of the DODEA European championships on May 23, 2024, at Ramstein High School on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

SHAPE right back Tymon Kaminski holds onto Ramstein left winger Keiran Goodall during the Division I final of the DODEA European championships on May 23, 2024, at Ramstein High School on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

SHAPE coach Erika Aquino rallies the Spartans at halftime of the Division I final against Ramstein at the DODEA European championships on May 23, 2024, at Ramstein High School on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Defensively, the Royals were thorns in the Spartans’ sides.

Ramstein held SHAPE to just three shots on target in the match, and as has been a staple during this tournament run, defenders swarmed around the ball in the final third, while also blocking numerous attempts on Elliot Radosevich’s goal.

It didn’t matter if the Royals lost the possession battle. They focused more on making sure the Spartans couldn’t create good goal-scoring chances despite being on the ball more.

“We decided we have to be like a wall,” Speed said of the defensive mentality. “Don’t let them break through. We just have to keep them out.”

With that game plan, the worst thing that could have happened to SHAPE was go down a goal early.

Not even 30 seconds after the opening whistle, the ball was in the back of the Spartans’ net. Sophomore left winger Keiran Goodall took the ball into the left corner and heard junior striker Joseph Yost calling for it. Goodall crossed the ball, and Yost headed it past SHAPE goalkeeper Garrett Duval.

That goal remained the difference until the 65th minute. The Royals doubled their lead thanks to quick thinking from Goodall. The Landstuhl, Germany, native saw the Spartans had switched off when the ball went out of play and threw it in quickly to lead Jace Monson toward goal.

The senior striker followed the direction of the ball into the box and fired home a left-footed shot.

“What can you get better in a high school career? Maybe a goal,” Goodall said of his performance in the win. “This is what you dream about. You couldn’t ask for anything better.”

SHAPE received life in the 70th minute during one of the few opportunities it had.

Junior midfielder Evan Aquino crossed a ball into the center of the field and found Charles Geib with a bit of space. The senior striker controlled the ball and let it fly to cut the deficit in half.

After that, though, the Royals clamped down on the Spartans, who didn’t put another shot on target.

After the match, the Spartans were visibly upset. Despite the disappointing end, coach Erika Aquino expressed her happiness with SHAPE’s effort and determination in the final and throughout the season.

She also said to expect more from the program in the future.

“I’m absolutely so proud that they did not stop, and they left it all out on the pitch,” Aquino said. “I can’t wait until next year. We will be back.”