ROCKY RIVER, Ohio -- The Rocky River Pirates captured their third consecutive division title by routing the Gilmour Lancers, 6-1, on Thursday.

The Maroon & White marched into the Buckeye State DII Region 6 bracket on another blowout in what has been a string of such matches. Rocky River (17-2) scored five goals in the opening half and three in the second. Gilmour tallied a lone netfinder in the first frame. With Thursday's final score in the books, the fourth-ranked (Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association) Pirates are now 3-0 in the postseason. They have outscored their opponents, 27-2.

River got three goals from Ava Patti and two each from Sophia Sindelar and Maeve Kelly. Patti and Kelly also had assists in the nearby neutral-site contest played at Lutheran West High School.

With the victory Rocky River becomes the last team standing in the 14-team Elyria District in Region 6. The district crown marks the sixth in program history (2012-14, 2019-21).

Thursday's triumph over Gilmour (8-8-2) also marks the continuation of a win streak that was initiated on Sept. 25. The Pirates lost to Bay three days before then; they have won 10 in a row since.

Should that streak continue, it'll be in a fresh bracket. The district-champion Pirates are headed for regional tournament action.

Region 6 tournament play -- which will include four teams -- is slated to begin on Tuesday.




CANNON FIRE ...

NET GAINS: Also scoring in Thursday's match were Taylor Byall (two assists), Addie Harris (assist), Annika Mocho (goal), Sophia Murray (assist), and Mackenzie Russell (assist). Murray has registered a point in nine of River's last 10 games.

GOT 'EM IN AUTUMN: Rocky River is now 10-2 over its last 12 playoff games. Since 2010, the Pirates are 38-10 (.792) in postseason play.


by Skip Snow

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