Two Chagrin Valley Conference boys soccer teams are one victory away from the state semifinals, but both face formidable challenges in Sunday’s regional championship games.
Chagrin Falls Boys Soccer (17-4) gets another opportunity against Bay, a program that has repeatedly stood in the Tigers’ postseason path. The teams meet at noon at Streetsboro High School in the Division IV Region 14 championship game.
Meanwhile, Rootstown Boys Soccer (17-2-2) will attempt to hand Open Door Christian its first loss of the season when the Rovers and Patriots meet at 2 p.m. at Ravenna High School in the Division V Region 17 final.
Both CVC programs enter Sunday riding winning streaks and featuring explosive offenses, accomplished goalkeepers, and players capable of delivering decisive moments.
Standing in their way are two teams with a combined 35-2-6 record.
The winners advance to Wednesday’s OHSAA state semifinals.
Division IV Region 14: Chagrin Falls vs. Bay
Sunday, Nov. 8 • Noon • Streetsboro High School
| Team | Record | Last Game |
|---|---|---|
| Chagrin Falls Tigers | 17-4 | W 2-1 (OT) vs. Lake Catholic |
| Bay Rockets | 16-2-4 | W 1-0 vs. Andrews Osborne |
For Chagrin Falls, another regional final means another chance to overcome a familiar opponent.
The Tigers reached the Elite Eight for the second consecutive season by surviving a rain-soaked, 2-1 overtime victory against Lake Catholic on Wednesday.
Freshman Rowan Hoch scored in the first half before Lake Catholic equalized in the second.
With just 25 seconds remaining in the first overtime, senior Grayson Fisher finished a breakaway created by a crucial defensive play from Lake de Leon, sending the Tigers back to the regional championship game.
The victory was Chagrin Falls’ sixth straight and provided another example of the Tigers’ ability to respond under pressure.
Now comes a considerably different test.
Bay defeated Chagrin Falls twice in 2025, including a 2-0 victory in the regional final at Streetsboro. The Rockets continued their success in this season’s regular-season meeting, controlling most of the contest in a 4-0 win at Harris Stadium on Oct. 3.
Bay leads the recorded series 13-4-3 in 20 meetings since 2007 and has won the last three.
The Tigers are seeking their first victory against the Rockets since a 4-1 win on Oct. 5, 2024.
Chagrin Falls’ offense features accomplished senior trio
The Tigers’ offensive production begins with Fisher, Ben Ettinger, and Colin Struk-Marn.
Fisher has scored 18 goals and added five assists, including the dramatic winner against Lake Catholic.
Ettinger has contributed 12 goals and 13 assists, while Struk-Marn has recorded 10 goals and 15 assists.
The three seniors provide Chagrin Falls with multiple scoring options, whether attacking through the middle, distributing from midfield, or creating opportunities in transition.
They also have plenty of support.
Elliot Kler has scored eight goals and added three assists, while Hoch has contributed five goals and seven assists, according to the latest reported scouting figures.
Hoch’s goal against Lake Catholic demonstrated the freshman’s ability to make a significant impact on a postseason stage.
Chagrin Falls also has a proven defensive foundation.
Senior goalkeeper Ethan Nielsen has recorded 73 saves and 12 shutouts, while de Leon provides leadership and toughness along the backline.
The Tigers allow just 0.6 goals per game and have held 12 opponents scoreless.
Their success has been recognized by the Greater Cleveland Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association.
Fisher, Ettinger, Struk-Marn, Nielsen, de Leon, and Hoch all earned first-team All-Greater Cleveland honors in Division IV.
The six selections reflect the balance of a Chagrin Falls roster that can generate offense without sacrificing its defensive discipline.
Bay brings talent, depth, and championship experience
Few programs in Greater Cleveland have established the consistency Bay has displayed under longtime coach Bobby Dougherty.
The Rockets are unbeaten in 11 consecutive matches since a 3-2 loss to Rocky River on Sept. 30. They have won five straight, including Wednesday’s narrow 1-0 regional semifinal victory over Andrews Osborne Academy.
Bay has scored an average of 3.8 goals per game while allowing just 0.9, and the Rockets have registered 11 shutouts.
Their greatest strength, however, may be their ability to maintain the same approach regardless of which players are on the field.
Bay’s movement is purposeful, its communication is constant, and its attacking players consistently make runs designed to stretch opposing defenses.
The Rockets’ attack is led by senior Oliver Marotta, the 2026 GCSSCA Division IV Player of the Year.
Marotta is joined by dangerous attacking options Andrew Starnes and Evan Catteau.
Senior defender Jonah Czarnecki anchors the defensive third, while Hussein Saad and Weston Matty add quality and depth.
All six earned first-team All-Greater Cleveland recognition.
Dougherty also earned the association’s Division IV Public School Coach of the Year honor.
Bay’s postseason run includes shutout victories over Keystone, Manchester, Firelands, and Andrews Osborne. The Rockets have allowed just one goal in their last six matches.
Matchup intelligence
The Ohio Varsity Matchup Predictor gives Bay a narrow advantage in what projects as a competitive regional final.
| Category | Chagrin Falls | Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Win probability | 48% | 52% |
| Quality wins | 11 | 6 |
| Opponent winning percentage | .569 | .518 |
| Goals per game | 3.6 | 3.8 |
| Goals allowed per game | 0.6 | 0.9 |
| Shutouts | 12 | 11 |
| Current winning streak | 6 | 5 |
Ohio Varsity Matchup Predictor™ — High data confidence. Editorial estimates based on available results, not betting odds.
Although Bay holds the historical advantage, the Tigers have played a demanding schedule and own more victories against opponents with winning records.
The teams have three common opponents.
Both defeated Fairview, with Chagrin Falls winning 2-1 and Bay winning 6-1. Chagrin Falls lost 1-0 to Hawken, while Bay tied the Hawks 1-1. Both teams also lost to Rocky River.
The Tigers will need to be considerably better defensively than they were in October’s first meeting.
Limiting Marotta’s opportunities, preventing Bay from attacking the end line, and maintaining possession through midfield will be essential.
Chagrin Falls also must capitalize on its own chances.
The Tigers have been shut out in all four losses this season, but they are 12-0 when scoring at least three goals.
An early goal would put pressure on Bay and could allow Chagrin Falls to rely on its defensive organization and Nielsen’s shot-stopping ability.
Set pieces also could play a major role.
Fisher, Ettinger, and Struk-Marn give Chagrin Falls the ability to turn limited opportunities into goals, and the Tigers have already demonstrated their ability to win a tight postseason contest.
The challenge will be executing that approach against a Bay team with few weaknesses.
What to watch: Can Chagrin Falls withstand Bay’s sustained attacking pressure, protect its defensive third, and create enough chances in transition to reverse the result of the regular-season meeting?
Division V Region 17: Rootstown vs. Open Door Christian
Sunday, Nov. 8 • 2 p.m. • Ravenna High School
| Team | Record | Last Game |
|---|---|---|
| Rootstown Rovers | 17-2-2 | W 5-1 vs. United |
| Open Door Christian Patriots | 19-0-2 | W 3-2 (OT) vs. Champion |
Rootstown has spent the past several seasons establishing itself as one of Northeast Ohio’s most consistent small-school soccer programs.
The Rovers captured their third consecutive district championship and sixth in program history with a commanding 5-1 victory over Kirtland on Oct. 31.
They followed that performance with another 5-1 victory against United in Wednesday’s regional semifinal, extending their winning streak to four matches.
Now, the Rovers face their most difficult challenge yet.
Open Door Christian enters Sunday’s game unbeaten through 21 contests, having scored 104 goals while allowing only 17.
The Patriots have won eight consecutive matches and are appearing in the first regional championship game in program history.
With two high-scoring offenses facing one another, Sunday’s Division V final could produce plenty of scoring opportunities.
Pastor leads Rootstown’s explosive attack
Rootstown’s offense revolves around senior Zach Pastor, one of the area’s most productive attacking players.
Pastor has scored 33 goals and recorded 13 assists for 79 points.
His production has been particularly important in determining the Rovers’ success.
Rootstown is 14-0-1 when Pastor scores, and his ability to create opportunities off the dribble makes him a constant challenge for opposing defenders.
Pastor has plenty of help.
Senior Sam Textor has scored 20 goals and added seven assists for 47 points.
Junior Dylan Boland has contributed 12 goals and four assists, while senior Bryson Scarlett has added seven goals and 13 assists.
Scarlett shares the team lead in assists with Pastor and gives the Rovers another player capable of creating scoring chances.
Zandyr Ammons has added six goals and six assists, while Tycho Smolk has five goals and seven assists.
The depth of the Rootstown offense forces opponents to account for more than one dangerous player.
The Rovers are 15-1-1 when scoring at least three goals and 10-0 when scoring five or more.
They have also scored at least twice in 19 of their 21 recorded games.
Defensively, goalkeeper Noah Zager has recorded 57 saves and seven individual shutouts. Rootstown has posted eight team shutouts.
Under longtime coach Charlie Voth, the Rovers have developed a system that combines pressure, pace, and multiple offensive options.
That approach was particularly effective against Kirtland in the district championship game.
Pastor scored three goals and added an assist, while Textor scored once and contributed two assists. Boland also scored as Rootstown built a 5-1 halftime lead.
The Rovers now need another strong performance against an Open Door team that has rarely been contained this season.
Open Door enters unbeaten behind Bendik and talented supporting cast
Open Door Christian has spent the entire season demonstrating that it can score in a variety of ways.
The Patriots have reached double digits twice and scored at least four goals in 14 games.
Their victories include a 4-2 win over Kirtland, a 4-1 decision against Lake Center Christian, and a 4-0 shutout of Fairview.
Open Door also defeated Cuyahoga Heights, 11-0, earlier this season.
The Patriots’ postseason road has included victories over Shaw, Columbiana, Columbia, and Champion.
Wednesday’s regional semifinal, however, proved to be their most dramatic challenge.
Open Door needed overtime to defeat Champion, 3-2, after surrendering the tying goal late in regulation.
Senior Brayden Bendik scored twice, including the winning goal in the 12th minute of overtime, to secure the Patriots’ first regional final appearance.
Bendik’s first goal came on a penalty kick created by freshman Flynn Yoho, who drew a foul inside the box after helping create several dangerous attacking opportunities.
Champion tied the game in the 79th minute, but Open Door continued to attack throughout overtime before Bendik delivered the winner.
Patriots coach Joel Baker credited his team’s confidence and leadership after the victory.
That confidence will be tested against Rootstown’s experienced lineup and prolific scoring attack.
Bendik, a senior forward, was one of four Open Door players recognized as first-team All-Greater Cleveland selections in Division V.
Junior defender Gideon Stevens, senior midfielder Liam Bores, and junior midfielder Lincoln Baker also earned first-team honors.
Yoho, junior midfielder Joel Pruitt, and senior defender John VanWingerden received honorable mention recognition.
The combination gives Open Door quality throughout its lineup, with experienced leaders and younger players who have already contributed in high-pressure matches.
Previous meeting and common opponents
Rootstown and Open Door have met just once in the Ohio Varsity Sports Engine’s recorded history.
Open Door defeated the Rovers, 2-1, in a postseason game on Oct. 23, 2021.
Sunday provides Rootstown with an opportunity to even that recorded series and advance to the state semifinals.
The teams have also faced several common opponents this season, including Kirtland and Lake Center Christian.
Rootstown played Kirtland to a 3-3 draw during the regular season before winning the district championship rematch, 5-1. Open Door defeated the Hornets, 4-2, on Sept. 17.
Against Lake Center Christian, Rootstown earned a 3-2 victory on Oct. 14, while Open Door won 4-1 on Aug. 25.
Both programs have proven capable of beating strong competition, but their contrasting schedules make Sunday’s matchup particularly intriguing.
For Rootstown, the most important factor may be its ability to control possession and create opportunities for Pastor, Textor, Boland, and Scarlett.
Open Door will look to use its attacking depth and movement to pressure Rootstown’s backline while preventing the Rovers from building momentum.
An early goal could change the complexion of the game.
Rootstown is 0-1-1 when held scoreless, while Open Door has scored in every match this season.
Both teams have demonstrated the ability to respond when challenged, and neither is likely to abandon its attacking approach.
What to watch: Can Rootstown’s experienced offense create enough opportunities against Open Door’s unbeaten lineup, or will Bendik and the Patriots continue their historic season with another victory?
Two opportunities, one destination
Chagrin Falls and Rootstown have followed different paths to Sunday’s regional championships.
The Tigers have relied on a combination of experienced seniors, disciplined defense, and timely scoring to earn another opportunity against Bay.
The Rovers have used their high-powered offense and championship-tested lineup to reach another significant postseason milestone.
Both now face opponents capable of ending their seasons.
For Chagrin Falls, the challenge is solving a familiar rival that has controlled the recent series.
For Rootstown, it is finding a way to defeat an Open Door team that has yet to lose.
One victory separates each CVC program from the state semifinals.
Sunday will determine whether either can take that next step.
Follow the regional finals
Division IV Region 14: Chagrin Falls (17-4) vs. Bay (16-2-4) — Noon at Streetsboro High School.
Division V Region 17: Rootstown (17-2-2) vs. Open Door Christian (19-0-2) — 2 p.m. at Ravenna High School.
