BELLVILLE — West Geauga’s remarkable postseason run came to a heartbreaking end on Saturday night, as the Wolverines fell, 1-0, to Columbus Academy in the Division IV, Region 16 championship game — just one step shy of the state Final Four.
A late strike from the Vikings proved to be the difference in a tense, back-and-forth battle that showcased West Geauga’s grit and defensive resilience.
“We couldn’t have asked for more out of our players. They gave absolutely everything,” said co-head coach Lidia Rodin. “We had a couple of opportunities at the end; unfortunately, we couldn’t find the net, but the girls gave everything they had.”
In the 76th minute, Harper Boninsegna-Mullins broke the scoreless deadlock with a perfectly placed 25-yard shot that slipped just past the Wolverines’ reach.
Until that moment, West Geauga’s defense — anchored by its composed backline and sure-handed keeper — had been unshakable, turning away wave after wave of Columbus Academy attacks.
“We’ve been working with them a lot in the playoffs to tidy up some things, and the girls did that,” said co-head coach Nate Vargo. “They put on a great performance today, but unfortunately, there can only be one winner.”
Though the result wasn’t what the Wolverines had hoped for, it capped a memorable season filled with growth, teamwork, and championship grit.
“It’s been great watching the girls develop and find confidence in themselves — realizing they can do hard things and great things,” Rodin said. “It’s been a pleasure to witness their growth throughout the season.”
West Geauga will graduate several key players, including Otterbein commit Adison Cook, but with 16 players returning next fall, the Wolverines’ future looks bright.
“The plan is to retool and rebuild when you lose great players, and I think we’re set up pretty nicely moving forward,” Vargo said. “We want the underclassmen to use this as fuel. We’ll get back to work right away and be ready for next fall.”
West Geauga finishes the 2025 campaign with a 15-7 record, a Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division title, a District championship, and a Regional Runner-Up finish — a season to remember.
Kirtland’s Season Concludes in Regional Final
In Division V action, Kirtland’s girls soccer team also saw its postseason journey end one win shy of state. The Hornets dropped a hard-fought 1-0 decision to Chippewa in the Region 17 championship, with the game’s lone goal coming in the first half.
Despite constant pressure and several strong looks in the second half, Kirtland couldn’t find the equalizer.
The Hornets close the 2025 season with a 15-7 record, capturing both sectional and district titles along the way — another standout year for one of the area’s most consistent programs.
