STRONGSVILLE, Ohio (March 30, 2023) -- Rocky River defeated Strongsville 15-4 in Thursday Northern Ohio Lacrosse League action.
The Pirates allowed just 23 shots in the game, as they continued their early-season run of fine defensive efforts. A diverse scoring effort included six players finding the back of the net in what marked the largest margin of victory in the eight-game series history between RRHS and SHS.
The Double-R got two goals from Andrew Lang in a 3-0 first period and then three goals from Ryan Hildebrand in an 8-0 second. Goalkeeper Carter Smith -- who played 46-of-48 minutes on the night -- made all five of his saves across the first two quarters. He stopped five of the eight pellets hurled his way.
In the third period, Pirate shooters were a bit off the mark, putting just 2-of-8 shots on frame in a quarter that saw the host Mustangs outscore Rocky River 3-1. But the Maroon & White rebounded with a strong defensive push in the final stanza to close out the 15-4 victory.
Hildebrand was on target with his rifle shot, especially over the middle quarters. For the night, the senior standout put 5-of-6 shots on frame.
The balance of the River goal count was filed by Wes Bennett (three goals, two assists), Tyler Fortune (3G), Lang (3G), Matthew Mallow (1G), and Rowan McDougal (1G, 3A).
Vinci Adams and Finn Royer each planted two goals for Strongsville (3-2, 1-2 NOLL).
The Pirates (4-1, 4-1) were dialed in on the clear, going 15-of-16 (93.8%). They won 14-of-21 (66.7%) faceoffs and 31-of-42 (73.8%) ground balls.
Mack Massad registered 2A, a 14-6 mark on 20 faceoffs, and 13 ground balls. Massad has 37 ground balls over Rocky River's last three games and is now within eight ground balls of passing 2020 graduate Andrew Snow for the program's all-time lead in that category.
Cohen Blair logged four scoops and two spills.
Rocky River has allowed just 17 goals through five games. In 2022, the Pirates allowed 9.1 goals per game.
The Pirates are now 7-1 all-time against the Mustangs.
by Skip Snow
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