ROCKY RIVER, Ohio -- The Pirates were undone by five second-half goals and six second-half penalties, as Rocky River dropped an 8-3 decision to Toledo St. Francis on Saturday afternoon.

At 5:42 of the second quarter, senior attackman Hayden Weaver netted a game-tying goal on a 6-yard shot after clearing a defender in a nifty wraparound move. Weaver's fifth goal of the season equalized the matinee contest with the talented visitors at 2-2. In a hard-fought, physical tussle, River wouldn't score again for nearly 30 minutes of clock time.

The visiting Knights scored twice in the opening quarter, once in the second, three times in the third, and twice in the fourth in a contest that saw them outshoot the Pirates, 32-23. St. Francis led, 3-2, at the half, with junior midfielder Grant Ansted scoring all three of the Knights' goals. Ansted would finish the game with four scores and an assist.

Rocky River (2-2) had trouble gaining traction in a whistle-ridden second half that saw St. Francis rack up possession time, if not goals, on five extra-man opportunities. For the game, River was tagged for a season-high 11 penalties. The Knights went 2-for-10 in their man-up chances.

When St. Francis wasn't drawing possession time on River penalties, it was earning it in the exchange of loose balls and turnovers. The Knights were a plus-7 in turnovers (committing 12 to the Pirates' 19); they won the ground-ball war, 37-24, and took 10-of-13 faceoffs.

A veteran-laden Toledo bunch got its goals from Ansted, senior attackman Alex Harms (two), senior attackman Eric Sigler, and senior defenseman Joe Petro. Rocky River's three goals came in two parts Weaver and one Will Bennett. Sophomore Ryan Hildebrand logged four ground balls for the Pirates. St. Francis netminder Braeden Madasz registered eight saves. Madasz was especially sharp in the crucial third period that saw the Knights blank the Pirates, 3-0. The junior goalkeeper had three saves in that frame including one especially difficult stop.


CANNON FIRE ...

ON DECK: The next Rocky River game is slated for Tuesday when the Pirates travel east to take on new Northern Ohio Lacrosse League foe Mentor. 

YOUNG BUCS: In Saturday JV action, Rocky River defeated St. Francis, 7-4. Wesley Bennett (three goals) and Mack Massad (two) paced the River offense. Carter Smith made five saves in goal.

by Skip Snow