ROCKY RIVER, Ohio (May 14, 2024) -- Opportunistic goals, timely takeaways, and key saves vaulted Rocky River to a taut 8-7 triumph over Massillon Jackson Tuesday. 

A mid-first-period 3-0 run and a mid-quarters 4-1 surge gave the Pirates the cushion they needed to down a tough Polar Bears squad in a battle at Rocky River Stadium that included five ties and lead changes and the Pirates hanging on for dear life in the fourth frame.

Putting those two key stretches together, it was notable that River had six different scorers combine for the seven goals. At both ends of the field, the Maroon & White showed their depth throughout. Standout performances were registered by Alexis Tisler (two assists), Addie Tisler (goal, three ground balls), Reagan Connelly (1G, 1 GB), Elle Mocho (2G), Kylie Spies (2 GB, two caused turnovers), Grace DeWitt (2G, 2 CT, five draw controls), Kaitlyn Byrne (1G, 2A), Daisy Thompson (1G, 2 GB, 3 DC), and Acadia Hover (four saves).

DeWitt's second goal of the night marked the 150th point of her career. Byrne's goal marked the 150th of her career.

Rocky River outshot Jackson 29-14 and was a plus-5 in turnover margin (8-13).

Three of Hover's four stops were of the the 10-bell variety. She was part of a sharp twine-minder tandem that kept the scores in single digits in the patient, defensive affair. Jackson junior Juliana Finefrock (9S) was on her game as well. 

The defense in front of both goalkeepers was solid. Rocky River shooters were forced into numerous quick-trigger misfires by athletic Polar Bear defenders in good position. Connelly, DeWitt, Mia Hildebrand, McKenna Kelly, and Spies were the business end of a Buccaneer sword protecting the high-danger scoring area in front of Hover.

Jackson had a chance to tie the game with a free-position attempt with 22 seconds remaining, but the shot went wide right. 

Kellen Berkeley, Sam Strifler, and Sam Weaver each scored two goals for the Polar Bears.

With the victory, the No. 4-ranked team in Ohio DII Girls Lacrosse (LaxNumbers) closes out its regular season. Rocky River has been tabbed as the Region 5 No. 1 seed in the upcoming DII Buckeye State playoffs. The Pirates have a first-round bye and on May 20 will host the winner of No. 12 Westlake/No. 13 Olmsted Falls.

The River Raiders will head into tournament play on a four-game win streak, and their opening game will come on a field that has not seen a Pirate regular-season loss in over a year (since May 10, 2023: 14-6 loss to St. Joseph).

by Skip Snow

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