MEDINA, Ohio -- A brilliant Rocky River Girls’ Soccer season came to an end Tuesday night, as the Pirates fell to the Mansfield Madison Rams, 4-2, in a DII state semifinal.
In a battle of two top-3 teams in the DII Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association poll (the Rams ranked first and the Pirates ranked third), Madison battled back from a 2-0 deficit to win in come-from-behind fashion. Senior Taylor Huff scored three goals for the Rams, who now advance to the title match in the
DII Ohio Tournament.
For Rocky River, the loss puts an end to a remarkable 21-game unbeaten streak, one that included 16 straight victories from Sept. 12-Nov. 9. And in bittersweet fashion, it’s a bookend loss: prior to Tuesday’s setback, Rocky River’s last loss had been in a playoff regional semifinal on Oct. 29, 2019 – to the Madison Rams.
Rocky River (19-1-2) struck for two quick goals to take an early 2-0 lead in the contest. In the 14th minute, a right-side Mia Kelly throw-in was corralled by Sophia Murray who booted a long cross to Taylor Byall. The crafty junior forward settled the pass in between a pair of Madison defenders and then loosed a cannon shot toward the left side of the goal. The 20-yard effort dented twine, marking Byall’s fourth goal of these playoffs.
In the 16th minute, Ava Patti and Mackenzie Russell worked a give-and-go 30 yards out, and the return feed to Patti put the freshman sensation in traffic but in range. Patti won the battle and found the back of the net on a 10-yarder.
Rocky River would dominate possession time throughout the opening half. The trade of quality looks and danger-area shots was much in the Pirates’ favor, but the Rams managed to land a counterpunch on a Kari Eckenwiler goal in the 32nd minute. A high-lofted, downwind floater eluded goalkeeper Sabrina Rick and found Eckenwiler charging toward the left post; she tapped in to finish the play and cut the Rocky River lead in half.
Twelve minutes after the halftime intermission, the Rams (20-0-3) struck again. After River had trouble exiting the defensive zone on a series of right-side Madison throw-ins, the ball found Taylor Huff in the slot and Madison’s leading scorer delivered. The senior rifled a 22-yarder into the left side of the net, and after 52 minutes of action, the two sides were knotted at 2-2.
The Huff score was part of an early-second-half surge for Madison. The Rams pressure had the Pirates on their heels, and Madison’s long game set up problems for the River back line. That pressure fed into another Huff goal in the 69th minute and then a dagger free kick for a goal – on a 45-yarder by Huff again – in the 70th.
Four unanswered goals. Three by Huff. The temporary prize was all the momentum in the world; the more permanent spoils started to figure as march toward a game date on Friday, when the DII Ohio Championship Game is to be contested in Columbus.
The Pirates were unable to muster any significant push the rest of the way.
When disappointment melts into reflection, however, much significance will be noted by members of this 2020 Pirate team and by the Rocky River community. A season that began in a way no one ever envisioned – amid delays and uncertainty – and ended on the doorstep of state final was in between filled with tremendous moments on and off the field and in practices and games.
By a group who gave a game effort. It was a state title unattained, but a statement made nonetheless.
A lasting statement which figures to go undefeated.
by Skip Snow
# # # pirates # # #