BRUNSWICK, Ohio (April 8, 2025) -- The season-opening win streak for Rocky River Boys Lacrosse has reached seven games, And its a streak that now includes a quartet of conference games. On Tuesday, the Brunswick Blue Devils -- who a year ago beat the Pirates in an early-season game -- became the Buccaneers' latest victims. And courtesy a 13-3 triumph at Brunswick, the Double-R is now 7-0 overall and 4-0 in Northern Ohio Lacrosse League play.
At the offensive end, Rocky River posted crooked numbers in each of the game's four quarters. Ten Pirates tallied points in the game, and River outshot Brunswick 36-20 (27-14 in shots on goal). At the defensive end, the Double-R once again proved to be resolute and resourceful. Relentless and repellant. After Brunswick netted the first goal of the night -- Logan Earley at 7:56 of the first period -- the Pirates would register the next 11.
With much play in the River offensive zone and a slew of stops from goalkeepers Gordon Hudson (12 minutes, four saves) and Ayad Mehulic (36 minutes, 7S), the Sons of Blackbeard didn't allow a second Blue Devil goal until 8:38 of the fourth. Rocky River, which pitched a shutout two games back, has now held foes to a half-dozen goals or less five times this season.
Four players filed multiple points for the Pirates. The lead edge of the Buccaneer offensive sword was Connor Nesbett, who tallied two goals and three assists. Dominic Ricketti found twine three times over while also collecting four ground balls. Ryan Taylor had 2G and 1A; Michael Bebie added 2G.
Cohen Blair chipped in up and down the property with a goal, two ground balls, and two caused turnovers. William Sawyer filed three spills.
The 13 goals marked a wild swing from Rocky River's last effort against Brunswick, a 3-2 Blue Devils win on March 23, 2024.
River's seven-game, nothing-but-victory streak matches a stretch of the same length from last season when the Pirates went 7-0 from March 26-April 18. That win streak came to an end against the Kenston Bombers -- at Kenston High School -- on April 23. The streak of 2025 will next be put to the test Thursday against ... the Kenston Bombers. The Sons of Blackbeard will host Kenston Thursday at 7 p.m.
CANNON FIRE ...
NOTABLE: Over their 20-year history, the Pirates have now had five season-opening win streaks of seven games or more (2010, 2011, 2013, 2024, 2025). River had seven-game win streaks to open the 2024 and 2013 seasons. The Buccaneers won their first 12 games in 2010. They won their first 16 contests in 2011, and that streak (March 22-May 30, 2011) also stands as River's longest win streak overall. ... The current seven-gamer has seen the Pirates average 12.4 goals per game while allowing 5 GPG.
QUOTABLE: "Our wins have been the result of unselfish and disciplined lacrosse. Its been a great team effort, with everyone executing their individual role." -- coach Griffin Vehar.
by Skip Snow
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