ROCKY RIVER, Ohio (Oct. 2, 2023) -- First, Rocky River Girls Soccer honored its class of 2024. Then, it honored its standing in the state rankings and its undefeated record. On Monday evening at Rocky River Stadium, the second-ranked (Ohio High School Athletic Association DII State Poll) Pirates rattled off their 12th consecutive conquest by taking down the Solon Comets 6-1.

The Buccaneers and Comets were embroiled in a taut affair until a 10-minute span midway through the second half that saw River take the match from a 2-1 edge to a 5-1 boat race. Mia Carney and Ava Patti each figured in two of those key goals. Patti and seven other Rocky River seniors -- Gia Benjamin, Kylie Crane, Morgyn Cruz, Ella Hopkins, Maeve Kelly, Kathleen Nupp, Mackenzie Russell -- were honored in a pre-match salute, as the non-conference affair marked Senior Night for the Pirates.

Rocky River (12-0) led 2-0 at halftime. Solon (8-4) tallied in the 47th minute to cut River's lead in half. But six minutes later, Carney's second goal of the season -- a netfinder set up with precision passing -- gave the Double-R some breathing room. River's next two scores -- Patti from Carney and Maeve Kelly in the 60th minute and Patti again in the 63rd minute -- would put the contest well in hand.

The Pirates would get one more goal late, when a Carney corner kick found Sophia Sindelar for her third of the match. Rocky River allowed just two shots on goal in running its home record to 6-0.

Sindelar's hat trick marked her sixth of the season. She has now registered 29 goals and 16 assists this fall.

The River Raiders will continue their fall campaign with a key Great Lakes Conference West Division match against Bay Wednesday. The Rockets are 2-0 in GLC West play (Rocky River is 3-0) and ranked fifth in the OSSCA DII State Poll. Wednesday's War by the Shore tilt will be played at Rocky River Stadium and will kick off at 7 p.m.


by Skip Snow

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