FAIRVIEW PARK, Ohio (Sept. 6, 2023) -- The Pirates bolted to an early lead and then held on for a 9-1 Great Lakes Conference West Division victory at Fairview Wednesday.

Rocky River (6-0, 1-0 GLC West) scored five goals in the opening seven minutes of action in what marked its GLC West Division opener. The Pirates would build a 7-0 lead by halftime, allow a 56th minute marker as part of a 2-for-1 exchange in the second half, and finish eight goals clear of their neighbors to the south. Fairview's goal marked the first in the Pirates-Warriors series since 2016.

Individually, the Maroon & White were led by Ava Patti (two goals, two assists), Mackenzie Russell (4G), and Sophia Sindelar (1G, 3A).

River is slated to play at Valley Forge Saturday.


CANNON FIRE ...

YOUNG BUCS: Two freshmen tallied their first career goals in Wednesday's rout. Ellie Holton scored on a fine feed from freshman Clara DeWitt in the 32nd minute. Morgan Burnett scored in the 78th minute. ... Rocky River, which tied a single-game season high in goals Wednesday (9G vs. Avon Lake Aug. 24) has averaged 5.5 goals per game through six contests. Led by Sophia Sindelar and her 14 netfinders, eight Pirates have netted goals thus far.

THIRD IS THE WORD: The first Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association rankings are out for 2023, and the Pirates are tabbed as the No. 3 team in DII. In a tight DII poll, three squads were within eight points of each other. The rankings file Waynesville first with 140 points and Copley second with 134. Rocky River is third at 132 points.  


by Skip Snow

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