AVON LAKE, Ohio (March 21, 2024) -- A big third-quarter performance at both ends of the field helped lift the Pirates to a 7-4 win at Avon Lake Thursday. Three Rocky River goals -- all scored by senior Rowan McDougal -- untangled a 2-2 halftime score across that third period. The Pirates and Shoremen split four goals in the fourth, as River earned the cold-weather conquest in the Northern Ohio Lacrosse League battle at Avon Lake Memorial Stadium.  

Rocky River (2-0, 1-0 NOLL), which lost each of its last five road games last season, prevailed despite putting just 13 shots on goal in 30 total shots. The Raiders held Avon Lake to just nine shots on goal (of 21); that's River's best defensive mark in a single game since March 30 (nine vs. Strongsville), a stretch of 16 games. But especially with McDougal, who finished with four goals, the visitors made the most of their shots that were on frame.

The Pirates also made the most out of their ride, spoiling each of Avon Lake's last eight clearing attempts for the game. River held the Shoremen to a 10-of-19 (52.6%) clearing mark overall. When Avon Lake did manage late-game possessions in the box, the Shoremen misfired on numerous shots. They were also stymied by three second-half saves (four for the game) by junior goalkeeper Ayad Mehulic.

The Sons of Blackbeard had a 2-0 lead (goals by Joe Smith, McDougal) through the first period. The home side tied the game with two Brandon Copsey goals in the second.

McDougal's third-period trifecta sent the game into the fourth with River up 5-2. Avon Lake (0-2, 0-1) had good push in the fourth, ripping off 11 of their 21 shots for the game. The Shoremen kept River off the board the first nine minutes of the fourth while netting goals at 7:34 and 3:37 to pull within one (5-4). The Buccaneers iced the game with two goals over the final 122 seconds; both were scored by senior captain Andrew Lang.  

The 2-0 Pirates have allowed just eight goals through their first two games of the season. River's 4-4 start in that department marks the first time since 2012 the Pirates have held each of their first two opponents under five goals.

Heading up the defensive effort in Thursday's affair were Cohen Blair (four ground balls, four caused turnovers), Trent Delventhal (3 GB, 2 CT), and William Sawyer (6 GB).

The Pirates will return to action Saturday with a NOLL contest at Brunswick. The Bucs-Blue Devils contest will be a 2 p.m. matinee.


by Skip Snow

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