ROCKY RIVER, Ohio (Sept. 23, 2024) -- The Pirates twice battled back from deficits, as Rocky River earned a hard-fought 5-4 triumph over Avon in a Monday non-conference match at Rocky River Stadium.
The visiting Eagles (7-2-2) took a 3-2 edge into halftime after scoring goals in the sixth, 19th, and 34th minutes of the first frame. With standout senior Sophia Sindelar involved in all three goals, River reeled in the next three netfinders of the big-match-up non-league affair. And the Pirates (9-0-1) would go on to protect a lead the rest of the way, even with Avon edging one goal closer with 9:15 remaining.
Sindelar scored in the eighth minute of the second half when she took a Rori Vesy throw-in, dribbled twice and rifled a 32-yarder past the Eagle 'keeper. That leveled the affair 3-3.
That tie score would last less-than-10 minutes. In the 57th minute, it was Morgan Burnett nodding the ball to Sindelar, whose ensuing shot was blocked. Addie Russell was on the spot to touch up the play with her sixth goal of the season. Sindelar made it 5-3 in the 64th minute when she intercepted an Avon outlet pass and loosed a twine-bound missile from 21 yards out.
The Eagles cut the River advantage in half in the 71st minute, but the Checkered Buccaneers played out the final minutes to earn the taut victory.
For the match, Sindelar logged two goals -- her 21st and 22nd of the season -- and two assists. The SS contingent of the River roster had a good night: it was Summer Seed scoring Rocky River's first two goals of the match. Seed has filed 4G this season. Caitlin Rose went the route between the pipes; she made two stops.
Over the last two Avon-Rocky River games (RRHS defeated AHS 4-0 Sept. 11, 2023), Sindelar has tallied 3G and 3A. The senior sensation, who has scored in each of River's games this season, has multiple goals in each of the Pirates' last three matches.
CANNON FIRE ...
SENIOR SALUTE: Monday's game marked Senior Night for the Double-R program. Seven River seniors (Olivia Byall, Natalie Crompton, Charlotte Dean, Lexi Hammermeister, Caitlin Rose, Sophia Sindelar, Rori Vesy) were honored in a pregame ceremony.
ON DECK: Monday's contest marked the first of three home games this week for a busy Buccaneer squad. The next contest will be Wednesday at 7 p.m. (vs. North Olmsted).
STREAK SENSE: Monday's 5-4 win kept a Rocky River Stadium win streak alive. The Pirates have now won 20 straight regular-season games at their Detroit Road grounds. River's last regular-season loss at home was a 2-0 loss to Bay on Sept. 22, 2021.
by Skip Snow
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