Round Three: Chippewa and Norwayne set for one of the biggest games of their rivalry
Norwayne versus Chippewa.
It's the area's best girls soccer rivalry and could be listed as among the area's best regardless of sport.
It's what happens when two programs, who are the best at what they do, consistently collide year after year. When these two teams meet on the pitch, there is usually something hanging in the balance — a league title, advancing in the state playoffs and, of course, bragging rights. Some games turn feisty and emotional. And every game between the teams matters.
Thursday's meeting between the rivals will matter more than most, with a district championship hanging in the balance.
Second half stunner: Chippewa rallies from three-goal deficit to shock Norwayne
At 6 p.m. on the pitch at Joe Pappano Stadium in Richfield, home of the Revere Minutemen, they will meet for the 43rd time. The Chipps hold the series edge 25-13-4, but the Bobcats have won five of the past eight meetings and, more importantly, a 2-1 edge in the playoffs, including the past two encounters (2011, 2014).
The two programs are steeped in tradition, led by legendary coaches and have seen some incredible players on both sides, year after year. Kristen Hilty, Brynn Mowrer, Riane Stahl, Whitney Stump, Maddy Teach, Leah Rufener, Rebekah Graf, Kloe Moore, Kay Young, Bailey Clark, Sara Boyan, Emily Badock, Jenna Sheridan, Chrissy Summers and the Boualany twins are just some of the players who've left their mark on this rivalry.
The numbers at a glance are jaw-dropping.
Chippewa boasts the area's best tournament record at 71-22 with 20 sectional titles, 12 district titles — including eight in a row — and state appearances. Norwayne has the area's third best tournament record at 28-18, eight sectional titles and four district championships. Combined the two programs have a 99-40 record in the playoffs and, since the Chipps started their district title streak in 2015, they have combined for a 49-16 record, with the rest of area going 70-92 in that stretch.
The area has seen 73 sectional titles total won in area history, with 28 coming between these two squads. The area has combined for 23 district titles, 16 of which belong to Chippewa and Norwayne. All five regional titles belong to the Chipps. This rivalry has produced 31 All-Ohioans, while the rest of the area has combined for 42 and they have combined to win 18 of the 20 WCAL titles since the league's inception in 2004.
Thursday is when the next chapter will be written. When the Bobcat starters of Sydney Emler, Macey Belmont, Molly Gasser, Maddy Kate Wolf, Brooke Mullins, Maria Rickett, Carrie Graham, Maci Kimberlin, Shelby Vaughn, Alanna Bauman and Kaylee Graham, along with substitutes Maya Rickett and Evi Davidovics touch the pitch, they will look write their version in this saga, hoping to avenge two regular season losses to the Chipps.
"Both teams are pretty evenly matched and very competitive," said Norwayne star Vaughn, who scored three goals in the Bobcats' 4-3 loss earlier this month. "The games we play against each other are usually for a title, bring out the best intensity and competitive play by both teams. It is just the kind of game you want to have."
The Chipps will counter with Elena Moyer, Delaney Marshall, Annie Henegar, Mia Rodriguez, Addison Good, Lauren Beach, Madison Breeden, Kelsey Newsom, Myra Lewis, Gabi Gartin and Delaney McNab, and substitutes Clara Gasser and Cally West.
Henegar summed up the rivalry with the word "determination."
"It's two great teams going against each other, and both are determined to be the best and come out on top," she said. "This rivalry is so great, because no matter where or when, they will give us their best and that's the kind of team our girls love playing. The Lady Chipps love the challenge and are always ready for it."
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Girls Soccer: the Chippewa-Norwayne rivalry and what it means
