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Durina’s OT goal sends South Range boys soccer team to state
By ERIC FORTUNE
RAVENNA
It only takes one.
For 85 minutes, South Range couldn’t get a shot on goal. But when the Raiders finally did get one, Cole Durina made it count.
Durina’s goal at the 9:37 mark of overtime proved to be all South Range needed in a 1-0 victory over the Beachwood Bisons in a Division III regional final at Ravenna High School.
It was the Raiders’ first regional title and puts them in a state semifinal for the first time in the program’s history.
“We’ve known all year that it only takes one, if we just keep on playing,” Durina said. “They owned that first half. We went in the locker room and got pumped up and ready to play in the second half.
The Bison (14-5-2) were on the Raiders’ side of the field most of the first half, but each attempt on goal was nullified by goalie Brant Rothbauer.
Rothbauer had five more saves in the second half as Beachwood had a couple of good looks at the goal with seven minutes left to play. But Rothbauer turned the Bison away again and again.
“He hasn’t had that many saves in a game yet this season,” South Range coach Joe Staffeld said. “This team put him to the test. We knew he was a good goalie and he had the rest of the team’s back. Our defense played great .”
Still, heading into sudden-death overtime with the struggles the Raiders (17-1-2) had, Staffeld felt he had to be simple in delivering a speech to his team.
“They seemed a little down,” Staffeld said. “They didn’t feel the calls were going their way. I said, ‘Hey, it’s doesn’t matter. There are are eight teams left at this level. You belong here. It’s yours to win. Get out and win.’ Nothing that profound. Just get out and play hard.”
Jonah Wilson — on a free kick — found Durina behind a defender and Durina put the ball past Beachwood goalie Michael Dreka.
“I was speechless,” Wilson said. “I couldn’t think. I just got really excited. I don’t even know what to say right now.”
“It’s awesome,” Durina said. “We just made school history winning the first regional ever. Now, we are going to state. We’re just pumped. We’re done losing. We feel we’re going all the way.”
The Raiders will meet Mansfield Christian on Wednesday at Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus. Mansfield Christian beat Fort Jennings, 3-1, in another regional final on Saturday at Findlay High School.
“We’re walking into unknown territory now,” Staffeld said. “We set a goal to get to this game. Now, we’re going to turn the page and see what kind of history we can make. This team is a good team.”