LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- On Friday night, the Rocky River Boys' Lacrosse program played its first varsity game since May 13, 2019, as the Pirates opened their season with a 12-4 loss at St. Edward.

The host Eagles (1-0) had two 6-0 runs in the contest, one in the first half and one in the second. St. Edward took a 2-1 lead at the 9:22-mark of the opening period and would lead the rest of the way on what was a chilly opening night, both weather-wise and in the River scoring column. In a contest that saw the Eagles and Pirates whistled for a combined dozen penalties, St. Edward held Rocky River (0-1) to an 0-for-6 mark in extra-man situations.

In the first quarter, River traded one goal -- a Will Bennett sidewinder from 12 yards out -- for four. The host Eagles upped their lead to 6-1 by halftime. Over those first 24 minutes, St. Edward outshot the Pirates, 19-8.

The Maroon & White struck first in the second half when sophomore midfielder Ryan Hildebrand scored his first career goal. Hildebrand finished on an assist from senior midfielder Nathan Robertson less than three minutes into the third. But the Eagles then rattled off the next six goals of the game -- three in the third quarter and three in the fourth -- to ice the victory.

The Pirates scored two goals late -- one by Hildebrand and the other by senior attackman Hayden Weaver -- to round out the scoring in Rocky River's first game in 676 days. The entire 2020 season was nixed by the the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the game, St. Edward scored 12 goals on 37 shots; 19 shots were on goal. Rocky River countered with four goals on 24 shots; 12 were on frame. The Eagles were a plus-7 in the turnover exchange, forcing 23 while committing 16.

Senior goalkeeper Reece Rochester had nine saves for the Pirates. Senior defenseman Matt George logged four ground balls and a caused turnover.