Independence’s long title draught is over.
The Blue Devils defeated Berkshire, 8-1, on Tuesday to clinch their first Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division championship and first league title since winning the Metropolitan Area Conference back in 1997.
“I am pleased with our effort,” said Independence coach Ryan MacRaild. “We battled through the league this fall, played some tough games against Beachwood, Kirtland and the rest of the league, and were fortunate enough to put our talent in the right places at the right time this year.”
Independence, ranked sixth in the latest Division III state coaches’ poll, improved to 10-0-2 on the year and finished league play at 5-0-1.
The Blue Devils wasted little time jumping on the visiting Badgers.
Evan Collins scored two goals and Christian Seif and Nolan Fields each added one to give Independence a 4-0 lead just six minutes into the game. Collins assisted on Seif’s goal and Kevin Mewhinney set up Fields’ goal.
Later in the first half, Seif scored again off a Fields assist and a Drew Benos goal made it 6-0 at the break.
Collins’ third goal made it 7-0 early in the second half before Berkshire’s Jack Reed found the net against Independence’s JV squad.
For Collins, the CVC title was validation of the work he and his teammates have put in to restore Independence’s winning ways.
“Winning the CVC this season is a statement of our dedication and work ethic as a team,” Collins said. “It had a lot of meaning to us to bring Independence soccer back into the conversation, since this is our first title since we won it in 1997 in the MAC 8.”
Independence’s Brad Wartroba closed out the scoring with his first varsity goal. Justin Bernstein assisted.
The Blue Devils host Brooklyn on Thursday.
“We have a lot of work to go this season with four games remaining and with playoffs looming we want to sharpen our game for a late October push,” MacRaild said. “Being ranked in the state now, I can guarantee there are a few teams looking to knock us off.”
