Any match involving the Perry girls side is a tango that transpires as follows: The side on the opposite touchline decides whether or not they want to mark Jordan Rowan and how. Then the Pirates adjust. Then their foes do as well. The problem of course is few players locally or across Ohio can save the last dance quite like Rowan can. Because no matter how good marking is — and make no mistake, Chardon did just fine in that regard Sept. 26 — she will have her say, one way or another. In this instance, it was left until late. But Rowan and Perry had the last word, bringing this tango to fruition. Rowan netted a brace, including the match-winner in the 75th minute, as the Pirates emerged with a 2-1 road win over a gutsy Hilltoppers’ side. Perry senior midfielder Elise Strahan discusses her side's 2-1 win at Chardon1 of 2 senior starters in the Pirates' 11 along with the dynamic Jordan Rowan, Elise provides experience & width to a 9-2-1 side in need of it(match story will be shared shortly) pic.twitter.com/3PhKZUJ5NV — Chris Lillstrung (@CLillstrungNH) September 27, 2024 For longtime Perry coach Rich Stavar, the way his 9-2-1 side navigates the Rowan marking conundrum to generate quality — especially with a youth-laden starting 11 — is pleasing to witness. “I liked the fact that we tried to find someone on the back post every once in a while, and it just didn’t materialize,” Stavar said. “But the kids continued to play really hard, and they found a couple of through balls. We were OK as a result. “We’ve practiced some (with marking), but there’s no practice for a game situation. So I think that the kids who are providing service are a little bit more used to what slot are we going to feed the ball. I don’t know that we did that very well at the beginning of the year. But I think we’re doing a much better job right now.” Chardon (7-4-2) did a commendable job amid its choice to opt for direct marking of Rowan with freshman Gia Sharaba, complemented by midfield support including a good shift from senior Kayla Schneider. But again, Rowan has an impeccable way of getting involved. The Hilltoppers had a 1-0 lead for much of the opening 40, as Schneider slotted a corner kick direct and side net in the sixth minute for her first goal of the fall. Rowan pounced to equalize in the 32nd. The senior striker got a touch to her trademark left foot in traffic with a gorgeous inside medium touch off her right to create more space and power for her left. “Having them mark me kind of left an opening for the outside wides like Elise (Strahan) and Aleigha (Granchi) to go forward with the ball,” Rowan said. “And that just gave us opportunities out wide to be able to cut into the middle. “All teams are different. Sometimes I’m marked. Sometimes I’m not. But I think our team adapts well to it. When I’m marked up and I can’t do anything, we have team players that step up and lead.” Perry equalizer through Jordan Rowan 32nd min1-1 match pic.twitter.com/tvIxGc6sTm — Chris Lillstrung (@CLillstrungNH) September 27, 2024 She had been denied well by Hilltoppers goalkeeper Haidyn Bunker on a punch save off a free kick in the 27th. Bunker, in a strong seven-save performance, kept it level in the 57th by denying a Rowan right-footed outswinger. Rowan had one more say, though. In the 75th, she buried a right-footed effort wide left for the eventual match-winner. It was her second of the match, 49th in a prolific 2024 and 112th of her decorated high school career. “I was at the top of the box, and I saw my teammate Chloe (Keringer), she kind of deflected the ball,” Rowan said. “I saw the defender, she wasn’t really going for it. She waited for the goalie to come out, and I just swooped in and stepped to the ball.” With six freshmen and sophomores in the starting 11, it’s paramount for the Pirates to be able to supply Rowan with service while being ballwinners and keeping shape in the back. “I think we have (two) seniors starting,” Rowan said. “Our one, Ally (Hopkins), she got hurt in the beginning of the season, so that really crushed us. But I think that the freshmen and sophomores have definitely stepped up and grown. They’re working for it.” Chardon coach Chad Johnston had no qualms about the 80 from his side, particularly Sharaba’s relentless work as a marker. “Gia was our player of the game today,” Johnston said. “Following (Rowan) around for 80 minutes is no easy task at all. In my opinion, she’s probably player of the year in this area. She scored two goals on us last year and they beat us, 2-0. Two more tonight and beat us, 2-1. So hats off to her. Jordan played a great game. “This is the type of game, I’m telling them, to prepare us. We’ve got Mayfield coming up (Oct. 1), which is (WRC) champs from last year at their place. These are the kind of games and situations to bring the best out of us and hopefully continue moving forward into the playoffs.”