ROCKY RIVER, Ohio -- The Pirates gave it a game effort but came up on the short end of a 15-10 Wednesday non-conference battle against a veteran-laden Chagrin Falls Tigers team that has lost just once since April 14.

Six unanswered Tiger goals in the second period proved decisive, and a sharp Chagrin passing game set up many a look from the doorstop throughout.

Rocky River's 10 goals marked its most in a single game since March 31 (12 versus Brunswick). And that double-digit output came against a strong Chagrin Falls team that had yielded more-than-nine goals just twice in going 6-1 since April 14. Junior midfielder Ryan Hildebrand planted four of those Pirate goals. The leading Tiger scorers were senior Camden Croasdaile (five goals), senior Fritz Clark (3G), and senior Michael Maschke (3G, two assists).

A busy opening period netted nine total goals, five for the visitors and four for the Pirates (6-10). Hildebrand and Croasdaile split six goals between themselves in that first frame. But the Tigers then blew the game wide open with six goals in the second. The Pirates played a solid second half but would get no closer than five the rest of the way.

For the game, Chagrin Falls (13-3) outshot River 42-26. The Tigers put 24 shots on frame to the Pirates' 15. The Buccaneers took 22-of-42 ground balls but were a minus-8 in turnovers (19-11). Rocky River went 2-of-4 in extra-man opportunities, with its two man-up twinefinders being its most in a game since April 11 (two vs. Olmsted Falls).

The Maroon & White got three assists and a 14-9 faceoff performance by junior midfielder Mack Massad. Sophomore attackman Rowan McDougal reeled in two goals and an assist. Junior Mac Scott registered a goal, two ground balls, and a caused turnover. Junior netminder Carter Smith logged nine saves.

The contest at Rocky River Stadium marked River's regular-season finale. The Pirates will open DII Region 5 Tournament play next Wednesday with a home game against Keystone.

by Skip Snow

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