OLMSTED FALLS, Ohio (May 2, 2023) -- Rocky River closed out its 2023 Northern Ohio Lacrosse League slate with a buzzsaw. Returning to action after a six-day layoff, the Pirates were undone by an on-a-roll Olmsted Falls team which has not lost since its March 19 opener. The Bulldogs led wire-to-wire and defeated the Double-R 16-4.

Olmsted Falls (11-1, 7-0 NOLL) kept a choke hold on possession time, winning 20-of-23 faceoffs and spoiling numerous River possessions throughout. The Pirates (7-6, 5-4) were held to a season-low 16 shots in a game that didn't see a visitors' goal until the third period. The Bulldogs are now 11-0 with a plus-150 in goal differential (194-44) since falling to Western Reserve 16-4 in their season lid-lifter.

The home side got a jump on things with a 6-0 first quarter. Midfielder Rocco Conti, who was dominant faceoffs, scored twice in the first and finished the game with five goals.

The Bulldogs -- now 8-0 at home -- outscored the Pirates 9-0 in the first half. Rocky River didn't manage a score until Rowan McDougal found twine on a Ryan Hildebrand feed at 9:30 of the third stanza. The Pirates would go on to score all four of their goals (McDougal, Wes Bennett, Hildebrand-2) in that third period. Olmsted Falls capped off the contest with a dominant 5-0 fourth.

For the game, the Bulldogs outshot the Pirates 43-16. They put 21 shots on frame to River's nine. In goals, shots, shots on goal, and ground balls, the River Raiders were held to season lows. Olmsted Falls took the ground ball tussle 34-17.

Gavin Moore collected three goals and as many assists for the Bulldogs, who have now beaten the Double-R in back-to-back games after the Pirates had won five straight series meetings from 2016-21.

Mac Scott had three ground balls and one caused turnover for Rocky River, which has now lost five straight contests, scoring just 5.8 goals per game along the way.

The Pirates are slated to host University Thursday at 7 p.m.

by Skip Snow

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