BROOKLYN, Ohio (Oct. 26, 2024) -- The second-seeded-in-DIII-Northeast District Rocky River Pirates defeated Mansfield Madison 9-1 in the Saturday finale of the DIII Northeast 6 District Tournament. The victory marked River's second district title in as many autumns and its fifth since 2019 (2019-21, 2023-24). And it sends the Checkered Buccaneers into the
Buckeye State's sweet 16 in DIII Girls Soccer.
Rocky River (19-0-1) pulled past the No. 19 Blue Streaks (13-5-2) -- a squad that had allowed just seven goals over its previous seven games -- with a slew of goals over the middle minutes of the first half.
Two-thirds of River's overall scoring came from Sophia Sindelar. The standout striker netted her 50th goal of the season en route to planting six in the game (she now has 53G in 2024 after scoring 59G in 2023). Grace Quaiser, Addie Russell, and Rori Vesy chipped in with the balance of the Buccaneer scoring.
Sindelar has now scored three-plus goals in seven straight matches. Mia Carney (three assists) and Quaiser (2A) were River's Saturday leaders in the assist department.
In three playoff matches, Rocky River has now scored 25G while allowing one. On Saturday, the Double-R allowed just one shot on goal.
River's fourth postseason match -- slated for Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Stewart Field in Coshocton -- will be against a familiar foe. Sort of.
The Maroon & White will face Central District No. 2 Granville, winner of that district's bracket. It was the Granville Blue Aces that River vanquished in the 2013 DII state championship game.
The Northeast 6 District win marks the eighth district title in the history of Rocky River Girls Soccer.
by Skip Snow
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