ROCKY RIVER, Ohio -- Rocky River pulled off a marvelous late-game comeback to defeat Strongsville, 9-8, in Tuesday-night Northern Ohio Lacrosse League action.
Junior midfielder Ella Nejad was in on bookend plays that initiated and then closed out a five-goal run for the Pirates, who had trailed the game, 8-4, with 11 minutes remaining. Nejad assisted on an Olivia Konopka goal that got the home side going at the 10:32-mark of the second half. Seven minutes later -- at 3:31 -- Nejad found the back of the net for her 12th goal of the season. That goal was backed up over the final 211 seconds of action, as Rocky River (8-2, 6-1 NOLL) closed out its sixth straight conference victory.
The Mustangs controlled the game early, capitalizing on athletic play at both ends of the field and taking advantage of a slew of Pirate turnovers. When sophomore Alyssa Glenn scored her second goal of the night at 12:21 of the first half, the visitors held a 5-1 lead. A scuffling River offense in one stretch let loose seven straight shots that were off-frame. And those shots only came after effective clears of the defensive zone which were few and far between.
Strongsville and Rocky River traded goals over the balance of the opening half, and the Mustangs went into the break leading, 6-2. Strongsville rans its advantage to five scores (7-2) when Sarah Fleming scored at 23:07 of the second. Two Pirate goals were answered by one more Mustang netfinder -- Strongsville's last of the evening -- at 14:10.
River's ensuing comeback was comprised of goals by Konopka, Daisy Thompson twice, Lauren Solecki, and Nejad. Three of the five were of the free-position variety in what was a physical battle from the opening draw to the final horn.
With a strong second-half performance defensively -- one that included goalkeeper Hannah Burgess stopping each of the last four shots she faced -- Rocky River finished as a plus-1 in turnover margin (River's 14 to Strongsville's 15). Ground balls were a 23-21 exchange, with the Pirates coming away with the lion's share. Senior captain Sarah Farling logged two caused turnovers and five ground balls in the game. Iris Polly added two of each. Kaitlyn Scalabrino, Grace Harte, and Burgess registered three ground balls each. Burgess came away with 10 saves in 18 Mustang shots on goal. River put 15 of its 24 shots on goal. Serena Rijos recorded six saves for the visitors.
On offense, the Pirates were paced by Allie Kysela and Daisy Thompson, who each scored three goals. Ella Nejad finished with a goal and two assists.
CANNON FIRE ...
YOUNG BUCS: The Rocky River junior varsity team remained undefeated on the season courtesy a taut 6-5 win over Strongsville. Five Pirates combined on the six River goals. Marin Richmond dented twine twice over. Kaitlyn Byrne, Alexis Tisler, Audrey White, and Kylie Crane also scored for the Pirates. Rocky River got steady defensive efforts from Ella Russell and Ava Blair, exemplary work in goal from Caitlyn Kelly and Acadia Hoover, and tenacious midfield work from Lauren Snow. The JV Pirates are now 8-0 this spring.
ON DECK: Rocky River will take to the road for a non-league game at Walsh Jesuit on Thursday.
by Skip Snow
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