TIFFIN, Ohio -- With a second-half surge and another big performance by a deep set of scorers, Rocky River earned another playoff victory Saturday. The high-octane Pirates netted a 5-1 victory over Lima Shawnee to earn the DII Region 6 title -- the program's second straight -- and now the Raiders from River are bound for the
Buckeye State final four.
On a beautiful autumn afternoon at Frost-Kalnow Stadium, the Indians -- a team that hadn't suffered a loss since August -- scored an equalizing goal early in the second half. River had led, 1-0, through 40 minutes but found itself knotted on the scoreboard despite owning a hefty edge in possession time and scoring chances. The Shawnee (18-2-1) goal was scored by Chloe Cleaves on a free kick in the 43rd minute. It would be the Indians' only shot on goal for the match.
It took Rocky River (19-2) nearly 25 minutes to respond, but when it did, the response was authoritative. And decisive.
Goals by Ava Patti and Maeve Kelly -- in the 68th and 69th minutes, respectively, vaulted the Pirates to a 3-1 lead. The final 11 minutes-and-change were a smooth-sailing defense of the program's 2020 region title.
While keeping a lid on things at their own end, the bracket-bolting Buccaneers got two more goals for good measure. A marvelous bit of long-distance tic-tac-toe in the 73rd-minute stands as emblematic for how unselfish, deep, and talented River's quick-strike offense truly is. On that play, Taylor Byall sent the ball from a wide flank to Kelly, who delivered a touch pass behind a Shawnee defender to an in-stride Mackenzie Russell, who finished for the goal.
It would be Patti closing out the game -- and a five-point afternoon -- when she went bar-down from 35 yards out in the 77th minute.
Five more playoff goals for a Rocky River squad which has now outscored foes, 38-3, in five bracket conquests. And Saturday's performance came against a Shawnee team that had only allowed 10 netfinders over its previous 20 games.
The triumph in Tiffin marked River's 12th in a row. If the Pirates can edge that streak to 14, it would be the ultimate statement for a team playing superb soccer at just the right time.
CANNON FIRE ...
ON DECK: Rocky River will meet Chagrin Falls in a Tuesday evening state semifinal game. The Pirates and Tigers will clank swords and exchange cannon fire at 6 p.m. at Pat Catan Stadium in Strongsville.
DOUBLE-R REGIONAL REVELRY: Saturday's win marked Rocky River's third region title. River also won region crowns in 2013 --when the Pirates won a state championship -- and 2020. The Pirates bowed out in a 4-2 semifinal loss last fall. ... The Double-R is 12-2 over its last 14 playoff games. Since 2010, the Pirates are 40-10 (.800) in postseason play.
NET GAINS: Sophia Murray scored the first goal of Saturday's match. Murray has now scored 14 goals and 41 points this season. The speedy senior has scored 98 points in her Rocky River career. Her 2-point Saturday leapfrogged her past current assistant coach McKenna Klodnick (96 points from 2010-13) for ninth place on the program's all-time points list. In her career, Murray has tallied 38 goals and 22 assists. ... Maeve Kelly's goal marked her team-leading 20th of the season. Kelly has now scored 13 points in the playoffs. ... Ava Patti has scored 19 points in the playoffs. Her Saturday goals marked the 40th and 41st of her career, but she's still not Pirates' all-time leading goal scorer with that last name. Sister Maya Patti registered 43 goals from 2017-20.
by Skip Snow