CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio (April 7, 2025) -- River's season-opening win streak could not be frozen or snowed under in Tuesday's contest at C.S. Harris Stadium in Chagrin Falls. Behind a combined 11 goals from Dominic Ricketti and Joe Smith and a big performance by Ryan Taylor in setting up twine-finders and winning faceoffs, the Rocky River Pirates sunk the Chagrin Falls Tigers 14-9.
Playing through slippery, snowy conditions, the Sons of Blackbeard earned their second straight win in a series that has over the years been dominated by Chagrin Falls. Three of Ricketti's six goals on the night came in a stretch over the first and second periods that saw Rocky River (6-0) turn a 2-2 tie into a an 8-2 lead. Only a late-game surge by the home side prevented the Pirates from doubling up the Tigers for a second straight season (RRHS defeated CFHS 8-3 on May 7).
Ricketti scored two goals in the first, second, and third quarters. He and the Pirates were held scoreless in the fourth. For the evening, he logged six goals on seven shot attempts. Smith added five goals. More than half of the 11 goals for the Ricketti-Smith dup were assisted by Taylor.
The junior midfielder had six assists on the night. And he turned many a River goal into an ensuing possession for the Pirates. Taylor went 18-5 on 23 faceoffs. He's 47-8 (85.5%) on midfield scrums over the team's last three games.
Other key performances were turned in by Michael Bebie (2G, 1A), Cohen Blair (six ground balls), Anderson Hahn (3 GB, two caused turnovers), and Connor Nesbett (2 GB, 3 CT). Gordon Hudson (first half) and Ayad Mehulic (second) combined to log nine saves.
River's back-to-back series wins come on the heels of a 13-game series winning streak for the Tigers (2008-22). And the Pirates' 14 goals mark a new highwater mark for RRHS goals in the series. The Raiders had averaged just 5.2 goals per game against Chagrin Falls from 2018-23.
Monday's game marked the front end of a back-to-back for the Pirates, who will play at Brunswick Tuesday. Rocky River is scheduled to play four games this week -- two on the road and two at home (Thursday, Saturday).
by Skip Snow
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