River View Wins First State Title Behind Massie’s Gloves and Walters’ Heroics

COLUMBUS, OH

A state title doesn’t come around all too often, let alone an opportunity at calling yourselves champions. River View boys soccer had an opportunity at history and greatness, trying to become the first team in program history, league history, and district history to become state champions when the Black Bears faced 2023 runner up Worthington Christian at Historic Crew Stadium.

Now the team was looking more than ready with plenty of support behind them. Check this out. They even opened up another section just to accommodate the River View faithful! But now we get to the first half of play, a dangerous opportunity for the Warriors. Eli Funderburke’s header goes thundering off the crossbar and the woodwork keeps this match scoreless. Another chance later on, but the River View keeper Layton Massie with a terrific save to keep it out, something he did all night long.

More to come from him later. Second half now, River View with a great chance of its own. Dangerous ball from Laired Williamson. Brody Stevens trying to get on the end of it, but still nothing doing. Warriors trying to break the scoreless deadlock, but it’s that crossbar again, this time on the other goal. No goals as of yet.

Under five minutes in regulation, Hayden Walters aiming for glory. bit the fingertips from Ethan Reale deny the senior striker. So we head to the first overtime without a goal. Warriors looking to win it. But Carter Knicely has other ideas, saving the game for River View. Cael Summers now trying his luck, trying to win it for the Black Bears. But Reale reels it in and we play on.

Late in extra time, It’s a moment of Massie magic! Somehow he got his hand to it and we have a second period of extra time. And the moment arrived for River View. It’s Hayden Walters. There you have it. The winner! History! And absolute elation! River View wins its first state title in boys soccer history, and it was the perfect ending for the champions. at long last.

“I mean, it’s incredible. It’s ‘story-tale’ ending” said Walters. “I mean, eighth grade, my best friend Cael Summers played me a ball for the game, for the winning championship game. And now state championship senior year, and he does it again. I mean, it’s incredible. I wouldn’t want it to end any other way, man. I mean that that’s again…’story-tale’, I’m happy. I’m really happy.”

“They worked their butts off since they were little kids, I’ve had a great pleasure of being part of them with many other coached helping them along the way, and just to finish it like we did” said head coach Vince Andrews. “I mean, we believed in them the whole time. And I just told them, just keep playing, keep pressing on, and we got it done tonight. It’s just so surreal.”

Andrews continued, “I understand why these people win championships and their heads are spinning, saying about going to Disney World, but I’m just so excited for our kids and Black Bear nation. It’s just awesome.”