ROCKY RIVER, Ohio (Oct. 9, 2024) -- Rocky River banged out a 9-1 home win over Normandy Wednesday. The Pirates tallied five goals in the opening half and four in the second, all against just one shot on goal by the visiting Invaders.
The victory earned the still-unbeaten River Raiders a share of the Cleveland West Conference title in this, the league's inaugural season. Rocky River (15-0-1, 6-0-1 CWC) tied the Bay Rockets for the top spot in the eight-team circuit. The CWC crown marks the Pirates 11th conference title and the program's third in as many years (Great Lakes Conference champs in 2022-23).
Top offensive contributors for the Maroon & White Wednesday were Mia Carney (goal, two assists), Grace Quaiser (3G), Addie Russell (1G, 2A), Sophia Sindelar (3G), and Rori Vesy (3A). Caitlin Rose (65 minutes) and Audrey Spurlock (15 minutes) split time in a rarely approached River goal.
River's nine goals tied a season-high (9G vs. North Olmsted Sept. 25). Through 16 games, the Pirates have outscored foes 82-11.
The contest marked the end of the CWC season and River's penultimate regular-season match. On Saturday, the Pirates will close out their regular season with a matinee home game against Sylvania Northview. The kick time in the non-conference affair between the Pirates and Wildcats will be 1 p.m.
CANNON FIRE ...
BRACKET PACKET: Rocky River is tabbed with the No. 2 seed in the upcoming DIII Region 11 Tournament, which gets underway Monday. The Pirates will open play in the Northeast 6 District bracket with a Monday home match against No. 45 Bedford. ... River, a DII state runner-up last fall, has won four region crowns (2013, 2020, 2021, 2023) and seven district titles (2011, 2012, 2013, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023) in its history.
ANOTHER HUNDRED HARVEST APPROACHES: Sophia Sindelar, who has filed multi-goal efforts in four straight games, is now within five points of her second straight 100-point season. The senior standout has cranked out 95 points (38G, 19A) in 2024. She ledgered a program-record 137P (59G, 19A) in 2023.
by Skip Snow
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