FAIRVIEW PARK, Ohio -- Rocky River opened its Great Lakes Conference title defense with a home-course victory over Holy Name on Tuesday.

The Pirates -- the only program in the five-year history of the GLC to win a crown in Boys' Golf -- went low at Big Met Golf Course, getting a trio of scores under 40 on the 3,229-yard outward nine along the banks of the Rocky River. Freshman Lucas Dietrich led the way for a second straight day, carding a 1-under 35. Dietrich was backed on the score sheet by Will Bennett, Matt McDonald, and Nathan Robertson -- seniors all -- as the Maroon & White defeated the Green Wave, 152-201.

Dietrich, who posted a team-best 81 in River's season-opening and victorious match over Avon Lake Monday, got off to a rabbit start in Tuesday's round at the valley track. The newcomer fired a dart to eight feet on his approach at the par-4 first hole. He capitalized by sinking the birdie putt, but that was followed by a bogie on No. 2. Dietrich's response was another birdie -- a three on the par-4 third. He would par his remaining six holes to finish with the mid-30s medal round.

Three-year letterman Will Bennett -- a three-time all-league honoree -- logged a pair of tap-in birdies en route to a 2-over 38. Two-year letterman Matt McDonald finished a stroke back at 39. Nathan Robertson posted a 40 to finish as River's fourth scorer.

It all added up to more-than-enough in the 49-stroke victory for the Swinging Corsairs. And to a 2-0 record on the young season.

Rocky River (2-0, 1-0 GLC) will continue its season with a non-conference match against Brunswick on Thursday. The match will be contested at Pine Hills Golf Club in Hinckley, Ohio.




CANNON FIRE ...

DOUBLE-R – REMARKABLE RECORD: The Pirates are 5-0 all-time in the league’s championship tournament. With Tuesdays win over Holy Name in the books, River’s all-time GLC match record is 89-2 (.978). 

McDONALD PLAYLAND: Dating back to last season, Matt McDonald has now averaged a score of 38.5 over his last six matches at Big Met. McDonald logged an overall nine-hole average of 41.8 as a junior.