ROCKY RIVER, Ohio (April 3, 2025) -- Rocky River overcame a dodgy first quarter and cruised to a 16-6 triumph over Avon in Thursday-night Northern Ohio Lacrosse League action. Sophomore Connor Nesbett filed a nine-point game as part of the Pirates netting their most goals in a single game since April 18, a stretch of 14 games.
The Maroon & White found themselves down 3-1 after the Eagles scored a late-first-period goal as part of an 11-shot barrage in that opening stanza. But 14 seconds later, on a nifty takeaway and goal by junior defenseman Cohen Blair, River initiated what would be a 5-0 run to take control of the game. Nesbett figured in all five goals in that run and finished the night with four goals and five assists. Blair, returning from injury and playing in his first game of the season, finished the evening with a goal, two assists, three ground balls, and five caused turnovers.
Behind Nesbett, Blair, and senior Dominic Ricketti, Rocky River (4-0, 3-0 NOLL) went into halftime leading 6-3. Eleven points were filed on those six goals; all 11 were tallied by Nesbett, Blair, and Dominic Ricketti. The Pirates would go on to dominate the second half, outscoring the Eagles 10-3.
Nine different Pirates scored in the game, and River outshot Avon 39-23. The Double-R was a plus-5 in turnover margin (18-23) and won 22-of-25 faceoffs. Ricketti (4G) and Joe Smith (2G) joined Nesbett as multi-goal scorers in what marked Rocky River's first win against Avon since 2021. Ricketti's evening included four scoops and one spill. William Sawyer added four ground balls and two caused turnovers. Ryan Taylor had a goal, an assist, a dominant 21-1 night on faceoffs. Gordon Hudson (38 minutes, three saves) and Ayad Mehulic (10 minutes, 4S) combined to make seven stops for the Pirates.
Logan Conley (1G, 3A) registered a four-point night for the Eagles.
Thursday's NOLL battle against Avon (2-3, 0-2) marked the middle contest of a three-game home stand for the Sons of Blackbeard. The Maroon & White will close out that stretch on Saturday when they host a 1 p.m. non-conference game against Gahanna Lincoln.
by Skip Snow
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