ROCKY RIVER, Ohio -- The 32nd goal of senior forward Sophia Murray's career was a big one. The score came after 58 minutes of scoreless soccer, and neither side would find twine the rest of way. That the goal should stand as the lone netfinder in a 1-0 game between two ranked foes made it that much bigger.

The Murray goal -- on a corner-kick assist from Mackenzie Russell -- helped No. 7 (Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association DII poll) Rocky River down No. 15 Clear Fork in Thursday night non-conference action at Rocky River Stadium. The win marked River's sixth in a row, all on shutouts, and it dealt the Colts (10-4-2) their first loss since Sept. 13.

Sophia Murray -- who has eight goals and seven assists on the season -- has now tallied a point in five of Rocky River's last six matches. The goal marked her 69th and 70th career points. That puts Murray on a scoring level reached by only 17 Pirate players in program history coming into 2021.

Caitlin Rose was credited with five saves in Thursday's win.

The Pirates (13-2) are now slated to play at Holy Name in Saturday's Great Lakes Conference Crossover Challenge.

by Skip Snow

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