TOLEDO, Ohio (April 20, 2023) -- In a remarkable back-and-forth, seesaw tussle, Rocky River fell to Toledo St. Francis 6-5 in three overtimes Thursday night.

The Pirates and Knights combined for 11 ties and lead changes in a contest marking River's second 6-5 loss this season (March 23 vs. Solon). The final two lead changes went the Knights' way, first on a game-tying goal with 10 seconds remaining in regulation time, then with a sudden-death twine-finder in the third extra session.

For the game, St. Francis outshot Rocky River 52-18. Shots on frame were a more level contest: Knights 18, Pirates 12. Goalkeeper Carter Smith stopped 12 of those 18 on target.

Mack Massad, Wes Bennett, Tyler Fortune, and Andrew Lang were River's goal scorers in the game; Lang scored twice to register his 17th and 18th goals of the season. He and Bennett also tallied assists in what marked the Buccaneers' second loss this week (Tuesday vs. Avon).

Mac Scott logged three ground balls and as many caused turnovers.

Rocky River (7-3) is slated to close out its busy week with a 4 p.m. Saturday home game against Shaker Heights. At halftime of that game, Rocky River will salute its 2012 and 2013 state finalist teams.


by Skip Snow

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