BRUNSWICK, Ohio (March 23, 2024) -- In Saturday Northern Ohio Lacrosse League action, Rocky River was given the cold shoulder by the Brunswick Blue Devils. In a contest played in chilled air beneath overcast skies, the Brunswick Auto Mart Stadium scoreboard was a frozen as the fans in the stands for much of the contest. But despite putting just nine shots on goal, the host Devils prevailed, turning back the Pirates by a score of 3-2.

The lowest scoring Rocky River game (combined goals) since April 4, 2006 (4-1 loss to Massillon Jackson) saw the home side plant solo goals in the first, second, and third period. Rocky River mustered late-first and late-fourth-quarter netfinders but was otherwise held scoreless. And for much of that span, held to just a handful of shots on goal.  

The Blue Devils and Pirates traded first-period goals, with Joe Smith coming up with the River tally. The second stanza was owned by the defenses. Brunswick (4-0, 3-0 NOLL) managed to net a goal 88 seconds before halftime, and the Pirates went into the break down by one (2-1).

Rocky River (2-1, 2-1) and Brunswick combined to put just five shots on frame in the second quarter. They would produce one less in the third, when the Pirates logged no goals on seven shots (one on frame) and the Devils filed a 1-8-and-3. Brunswick's score came mid-third; the 3-1 score for the game would last just about the rest of the way.

The Pirates battled their way to nine shots in the fourth. Seven of those were on target, but six of those died as goalkeeper saves. River's lone goal in the fourth came on a transition play with Rowan McDougal feeding Michael Bebie. The goal came with 50 seconds remaining.  

For the game, Rocky River put 15-of-25 shots on goal; Brunswick filed 9 SOG in 22 efforts. The Pirates (0-for-4) and Blue Devils (1-for-5) combined to go 1-of-9 in extra-man situations.

Beginning with the River ride, the Pirate defense was sharp, holding a Brunswick team that had scored 52 goals over its previous three games. The Maroon & White nixed half of Brunswick's 18 clearing attempts, and Trent Delventhal and Cam Ries each registered two spills. Ries also went 4-4 on faceoffs.

Goalkeeper Gordon Hudson stopped 6-of-9 pellets launched his way.

Rocky River will return to its Lacrosse Grounds on Detroit Road Tuesday, when the Buccaneers host a NOLL tilt against Olmsted Falls (7 p.m.).

by Skip Snow

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