By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

For the first time in school history, the Rootstown boys soccer program are regional champions.

The Rovers earned the historic achievement on Sunday, defeating Open Door Christian, 4-3, in overtime in the Division V regional final at Ravenna High School.

The Patriots rallied from a 3-1 deficit to force overtime, netting the game-tying goal with just 1:16 remaining in regulation to force the extra time.

In overtime, Rootstown senior Sam Textor brought the Rovers to victory on a Golden Goal with 9:51 showing on the clock.

The win advances Rootstown (17-2-2) to a Division V state semifinal against Creston Norwayne. The game is scheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m. at a site that has yet to be determined.

Norwayne defeated Toledo Ottawa Hills on Sunday, 3-2, in a penalty kick shootout after a pair of scoreless overtimes.

Rootstown jumped out to a 1-0 lead over Open Door Christian, which entered the game unbeaten on the season, on a goal from Caleb Fillmore at 24:06.

Fillmore redirected a free kick from Zach Pastor with his head to put the ball into the net.

The Patriots knotted the score at 1-1 at 11:50.

However, Rootstown regained the lead, 2-1, just before halftime when Textor scored his first goal of the game, sneaking the ball past the Open Door Christian goalkeeper at the near post with 3:15 showing before halftime.

The Rovers’ lead was extended to 3-1 at the 29:45 mark of the second half when Dylan Boland put a left-footed volley into the back post.

That set the stage for Open Door’s rally, with goals at 13:23 and 1:16.

In overtime, before Textor’s thrilling game-winner, the Rovers were saved by Fillmore, who was able to clear the ball off his team’s own goal line on an Open Door Christian (19-1-2) corner kick to keep the game alive.

Just 2 minutes later, the Rovers connected on a series of passes that led to Textor’s winning goal.

Brayden Dougherty found Tycho Smolk, who found Pastor, who then sent Textor down the line towards goal.

Textor ripped a shot towards the back post that sealed the Rovers’ win.

Rootstown’s 17 wins are the second-most in a single season in school history. The Rovers’ 2009 team won 18, while the 2017 team also won 17 games.