ROCKY RIVER, Ohio -- Rocky River had a big second half at both ends of the field, and the Pirates rode those final 24 minutes to an 11-5 win over the Bay Rockets on Saturday.
When the Rockets landed a man-up goal -- their second of three such scores in the game -- at 9:30 of the third quarter, the Double-R found itself embroiled in a 4-3 contest worthy of the series moniker, "War by the Shore". The Pirate answer -- beginning with a key goal by senior midfielder Matthew McDonald -- was swift and decisive: McDonald's goal came at the 9:17-mark. He was followed into the net by sophomore midfielder Ryan Hildebrand 32 seconds later. Those two scores were part of a 7-2 surge the rest of the way, as the Pirates ran their all-time record against Bay to 16-0.
Hildebrand scored three goals for River; senior midfielder Will Bennett tallied four. They were the Pirates' leading scorers in the matinee contest at Rocky River Stadium. The rivalry battle featured the home side playing man-down eight times in the game but finishing as a plus-10 in the turnover exchange (RR 16-Bay 10). The Pirates put 15 shots on frame to Bay's 10. Sophomore goalkeeper Carter Smith logged five saves in helping River convert superior possessions into superior numbers on the scoreboard. The Pirates outscored the Rockets, 7-3, in the second half.
That 7-3 swing was built on solid plays on both sides of the midfield stripe. Senior midfielder Nathan Robertson was the lynchpin, making fine plays up and down the property. Robertson finished with a goal -- his third of the spring -- and an assist; he also logged three ground balls and four caused turnovers. Rocky River (4-2, 4-0 Northern Ohio Lacrosse League) was a plus-7 in ground balls (35-28), and the Pirates forced the Rockets into eight failed clears in 18 attempts.
Messrs. Bennett, Hildebrand, and Robertson were joined on the scorecard by McDonald (first career goal), Mack Massad (first career assist), Rowan McDougal (goal), and Hayden Weaver (goal). Bennett's fourth goal of the day marked the 45th of his career. Hildebrand's line included an assist; he has tallied 10 points (seven goals, three assists) over Rocky River's last two games.
Seniors Jack Nageotte and Ezra Fleeman each scored two goals for the Rockets.
Saturday's game marked a return to action; it was the Pirates' first since March 27. With their victory, the Sons of Blackbeard are now 4-1 over their last five games.
CANNON FIRE ...
FIELD GENERALS: Charlie Hudson registered four ground balls and three caused turnovers. Hudson has a team-high 16 caused turnovers on the season. Will Bennett had four grounds balls and one spill, Hayden Weaver added five and one. ... Rocky River went 1-for-3 in the man-up department; Bay went 3-for-8. The Pirates have now allowed multiple extra-man scored in 5-of-6 games this season.
ON DECK: Rocky River's next game is slated for Tuesday, when the Pirates host an NOLL contest against Avon Lake. The 7 p.m. game will be held at Rocky River Stadium.
by Skip Snow
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