ROCKY RIVER, Ohio (April 20, 2023) -- Rocky River defeated Bay 11-7 in Thursday night Northern Ohio Lacrosse League action. As lacrosse games go, this one rated a D.
... as in Defense. Rocky River (9-1, 6-1 NOLL) took down a Bay (9-1, 5-1) squad which went into the annual War by the Shore contest undefeated and averaging 14.6 goals per game. River defenders pestered every shot attempt, deflecting would-be quality looks from the low-and mid-slot area. The Pirates caused havoc on key Rocket possessions and in clutch situations. The core of the Maroon & White defense -- Ava Blair, Sarah Knox, Evelyn Lundin, Annika Mocho -- hassled, hustled, wrassled, and muscled its way to allowing just eight shots on goal in non-free-position situations. Goalkeeper Acadia Hover stopped four of those eight, and two of her saves were of the 10-bell variety.
... as in Decisive. Four different scorers -- Grace DeWitt, Kaitlyn Byrne, Alexis Tisler, Reagan Connelly -- planted unanswered goals late in the first half, turning a taut 3-2 battle into a 7-2 River lead by halftime. Even with a big effort by junior midfielder Riley LaVogue, who scored six of Bay's seven goals, the visiting Rockets would get no closer than three the rest of the way.
... as in DeWitt. Sophomore midfielder Grace DeWitt was on target and finding holes in the Bay defense all night. DeWitt found twine four times over, and she is now tied with Tisler -- who netted two goals Thursday -- for the team lead in goals, with 24. DeWitt also garnered two ground balls, two caused turnovers, and five draw controls.
... as in Determination. In a physical, fast, hard-fought tussle -- with tenacious play from both sides -- there was no corner of the field in which Rocky River was outworked. The Striped Buccaneers were sharp on draws, took 21-of-38 ground balls, and were a threat on offense on the break and in patient set plays. The Pirates would have passed by their season average of 13.7 GPG were it not for the solid work turned in by Rockets netminder Ellie Bennett, who had seven saves.
If the Double-R earned a D as a unit, credit these players with an F (fantastic?) for their performances in the victory in the War by the Shore: Olivia Konopka (2G, assist), Byrne (2G), Connelly (1G, 1A, 2 GB, 1 CT), Annika Mocho (5 GB, 3 CT), Daisy Thompson (4 GB, 2 DC), Mackenzie Russell (2 GB, 2 CT).
But all in all, a D. A big, bold, beautiful D.
by Skip Snow
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