ROCKY RIVER, Ohio – River was rock-solid on Wednesday night. And the Pirates needed to be to be to top the Fairview Warriors, 2-0, in a hard-fought battle at Rocky River Stadium.

Rocky River got second-half goals by Jack Maher and Gold Rrustemaj and a determined effort from players all over the property on what was a soft, late-summer evening -- a tremendous setting for the River’s annual Rockport Cup game with Fairview.

"This was definitely a rewarding win for the guys,” said Head Coach Kevin Zerbey. “They found some grit in the second half and worked harder than they did in the first.”

With Wednesday’s victory, the Pirates are now unbeaten and unscored upon over their last three games. Rocky River has now won the Rockport Cup in 10 consecutive years (2010-19); the Pirates haven’t lost to the Warriors since 2009.

This meeting between River and Fairview also marked the beginning of Great Lakes Conference play. Fairview is one of two new league members in 2019-20.

Hogan Kern, Jack Maher, Gold Rrustemaj and Athan Tsigas were sharp in Rocky River’s early playmaking efforts. Working against a talented and hard-working Warrior defense, that quartet managed three early scoring chances and twice as many just misses on through-ball or crossing connections.

The middle minutes of the first half belonged to the visitors in red and white. By the 22^nd minute, Fairview had logged six shots to Rocky River’s three.

Over the final 10 minutes of the first, notable athletic hustle plays were made by both sides in an effort to keep the nets untouched. A big run and tackle – preventing a shot in transition – by River’s Conor McKenna. And a similar play by Fairview’s Dominic Donofrio at the other end. An alert break-up in the box orchestrated by the Pirates’ Keegan O’Neill. And a physical takeaway by the Warriors’ Ben Weir a minute later, some 80 yards away.

The Pirates (3-1-1) and Warriors tangled in that fashion until halftime. The first period amounted to a scoreless 40-minute frame with Fairview outshooting Rocky River, 9-4.

In the early minutes of the second, the field had some Warrior tilt to it. But it was the Pirates who broke free for the first score of the contest.

In the 45^th minute, sophomore Jack Maher raced for a 50/50 ball 20 yards in front of the Warrior goal. Fairview junior goalkeeper Tyler Danburg had control of that 50/50 briefly, but Danburg was pinned in a tangle between two maroon jerseys. Maher broke out of that traffic with a clear line of sight to the goal. He chipped it home for his second of the season on what marked Rocky River’s third shot on goal for the game.

Danburg alertly scooped another 50/50 on a similar play two minutes later. He was under more pressure than his River counterpart for a long stretch of the second half. Nifty mid-second takeaways by Andrew Fry and Keegan O’Neill helped keep senior netminder Connor O’Toole free of action for a nice span over the middle minutes of the half.

River nearly potted goal No. 2 on a Nate Keeling header in the 63^rd minute. But the attempt off a left-side corner was just wide-right. O’Toole came up with a quality save later that same minute to preserve the 1-0 lead in what was becoming more of a see-saw affair, with attempts at both ends.

The Warriors had a quality chance in the 68^th minute. And another in the 70^th. Those chances resulted in a fine save by O’Toole and a breathtaking takeaway by Andrew Fry. River put a whistler on target in the 71^st minute. It was corralled by Danburg, who would make four saves in the second and six for the match.

But the Men in Maroon would get one more by the Fairview ‘keeper.

In the 72^nd minute, Rrustemaj landed his first career goal – on a running shot off a feed from Nate Keeling. Rrustemaj nearly set up Hogan Kern for another goal a minute later.

“The first goal we scored wasn't pretty,” said Zerbey, “but it boosted our confidence and effort. The second goal was sweet, and it enabled us to defend better to see the game out. If we can play like we did in the second half more consistently, we will make life tough for upcoming opponents."

Fairview missed an open look on a runner up the middle in the 76^th minute. An errant shot nixed that chance.

And River indeed saw the game to its 2-0 conclusion.

Rock-solid.

 

CANNON FIRE …

WELCOME WAGON: The Great Lakes Conference added two schools – Fairview and Buckeye – for the 2019-20 school year. Both the Warriors and Bucks have been competitive in boys’ soccer and numerous other sports over recent years. … In boys’ soccer, Rocky River has an all-time record of 36-15-6 vs. Fairview; the Pirates are 8-0-1 against Buckeye. The Pirates and Warriors have been both Southwestern Conference and West Shore Conference foes in the past.

NET EFFECT: Nate Keeling’s assist on Rocky River’s second goal marked the first varsity point of his career. Senior captain Connor O’Toole had 10 saves in the contest. O’Toole has logged three shutouts this season and 15 for his career. His 15 clean sheets tie him with Brett Tomoff (2002-05) and Ryan Jeppe (1990-92) for sixth place of the program’s career shutout list. … On Wednesday, Rocky River finished with 15 shots (eight on goal); Fairview registered 17 shots (10 on goal). … The Pirates won Wednesday’s JV tilt against Fairview by a final of 3-0. Sophomore Omar Abazied scored two goals. Fellow Jack Bowers added a goal and an assist, and freshman ‘keeper Will DeClerck carded five saves.

 

by Skip Snow

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