WOOSTER, Ohio (April 1, 2023) -- Rocky River clocked a 12-8 non-conference victory at Wooster Saturday.

The Pirates (5-1) made the most of just-28 shots in the morning affair at Follis Field. River put 18 of those shots on frame in coming away with its third consecutive victory.

Wes Bennett (two goals, two assists), Ryan Hildebrand (2G, 2A), Andrew Lang (2G), Rowan McDougal (2G, 1A), and Mack Massad (3G, 2A) all had multiple goals in a game the Pirates controlled from late in the first quarter on. Rocky River outscored Wooster 8-5 in the opening half. The Pirates shut out the Generals 3-0 in the third quarter, and then the home side came back with a bit of push in the fourth.

The Double-R outshot Wooster 28-23 and put 18 shots on goal to the Generals' 11. Three of Wooster's nine scores were of the man-up variety.

Cohen Blair (ground ball, two caused turnovers), Ty Delventhal (4 GB, 3 CT), and Parker Hartup (4 GB) paced a River defense that spoiled six of Wooster's 11 clearing attempts.

"This was a great team win led by our defense," said coach Griffin Vehar, whose Pirates have allowed just 25 goals through their first six games. "We had some bus legs at the outset, but we weathered the storm."

River also beat the storm, with a 10 a.m. start time allowing the contest to finish ahead of storms rolling across Northern Ohio in the noon hour.

Massad registered seven ground balls in the game. His last in that set tied Andrew Snow (2017-19) for the most in program history. Massad -- who went 13-7 on 20 faceoffs -- has recorded 321 scoops in his career.


by Skip Snow

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