COPLEY, Ohio (April 15, 2023) -- The Pirates battled through penalties and four man-up goals by the host Indians to earn a 12-7 win at Copley Saturday.

The non-conference victory came after a 10-day layoff for the Buccaneers, who have now won five straight games. River outshot Copley 39-18 and put 23 shots on frame to the Indians' 12. The Pirates scores multiple goals in each of four quarters; they held Copley to solo markers in the first, second, and third frames. Two extra-man goals helped the Indians get four scores overall in an endgame fourth.

Top performers for the Double-R included Wes Bennett (two goals, assist), Cohen Blair (four ground balls, five caused turnovers), Ryan Hildebrand (2G, 1A), Andrew Lang (2G), Matthew Malloy (2G, 1A, 4 GB), Mack Massad (2G, 2A, 6 GB), Rowan McDougal (2G, 1A), Mac Scott (4 GB, 2 CT), Carter Smith (five saves, 3 GB), and Tyler Stanciu (3 GB).

Rocky River (7-1) and Copley equitably split the first four goals of the game. When Malloy planted a 7-yarder on the run at the 8:20-mark of the second period, the Pirates took a lead they would not relinquish the rest of the way despite for the game serving six minutes of penalty time and allowing the Indians to go 4-for-5 with the man advantage.
 
Rocky River will put its 7-1 record on the line against another Northern Ohio Lacrosse League team doing the same, when the Pirates clash with the Avon Eagles Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Rocky River Stadium.


by Skip Snow

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