WESTLAKE, Ohio -- A dominant second-half performance lifted Rocky River to a 17-8 victory at Westlake in Tuesday night Northern Ohio Lacrosse League action.

A staunch defensive effort yielded just one second-half goal to the host Demons, and the Pirates turned a 9-7 halftime lead into a 17-8 romp. River got goals from nine different crosses, as the Pirates (10-2, 6-1 NOLL) won for the ninth time in their last 10 games.

The Maroon & White scored four of the game's first five goals, but the Demons closed the game and got within one (4-3) by the 12:30-mark of the first half. The remainder of the opening half was a four-for-five exchange in River's favor, and the Pirates went into halftime leading, 9-7.

Goals by Ella Nejad, Iris Polly, and Lauren Solecki vaulted the River lead to 12-7 by the 15-minute mark of the second half. Westlake's counter amounted to just one goal -- a tally at 13:44, and the Pirates rolled to their season-high in goals.

Nejad (three goals), Olivia Konopka (three), and Allie Kysela (four) keyed the River offense. Lauren Solecki registered a big performance on defense while scoring twice.

The Pirates are scheduled to host a non-conference game against Chagrin Falls on Thursday.

by Skip Snow

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