History repeated itself for Rootstown boys soccer Oct. 29.
Back in 2017, the Rovers were an experienced underdog, making their second consecutive regional appearance. They then stunned undefeated Independence to reach a regional final for the first time in program history.
Oops, they did it again.
Rootstown entered this year’s Division V regional semifinal against undefeated Champion as a bit of an underdog. Once again, the Rovers, who also won a district title in 2024, rode their unique blend of experience and talent to an upset victory. It took 110 minutes and change, with Bryson Scarlett piercing the lower-right corner of the net for the game-winning goal in Rootstown’s 2-1 (3-2 on penalty kicks) shootout win.
“It was physical and I’m really proud of our kids that they stuck in there,” Rovers coach Charlie Voth said. “[They] played hard, I mean really hard.”
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Caleb Fillmore and Ben Smith also converted their penalty kicks for the Rovers while Noah Zager saved three of five in net along with his nine saves to help force the shootout in the first place.
“He made two fantastic saves,” Voth said. “What he did in goal distributing the ball, it was really, really good.”
Smith’s penalty kick was especially important as it came directly after Champion keeper Ty Horm saved the opening one from Rootstown’s leading scorer by far: Zach Pastor.
“This goal keeper, he is sound, he’s big and Ben hit the ball hard,” Voth said. “He made his dive and it went underneath him, and we all suddenly see the ball [go in], and I think that just fired up everybody and we weren’t going to be denied.”
Rootstown originally jumped in front in the final minute of the first half when Scarlett found Melvin Acosta, who took a touch and fired away from the center of the box.
“He is great when he has the ball on his foot,” Voth said. “I mean he is really good and what he did, he was in there and the ball he posted up and he hit someone outside, the ball came back to him and he had a quick shot, bam, put it away.”
Champion proceeded to tie the score in the 65th minute.
The Rovers had a golden chance in regulation when they hit the post twice with another shot blocked off the line. Both teams had their moments in overtime before Rootstown prevailed in penalty kicks.
The Rovers will next face Kidron Central Christian in the Region 17 championship game at Serpentini Stadium in North Royalton Nov. 2 at 1 p.m. KCC is a familiar foe, with the Comets topping the Rovers 2-0 earlier this season. The teams also met the last time Rootstown made a regional final, with KCC winning that one by the same score.
Contact Jonah L. Rosenblum at jrosenblum@recordpub.com and follow him on Twitter at @JLRSports.
This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Rootstown boys soccer tops Champion in penalty kicks, wins epic regional semifinal
Reporting by Jonah Rosenblum, Ravenna Record-Courier / Record-Courier
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
