ROCKY RIVER, Ohio -- With its defense clamping down like a vise in the second half, Rocky River allowed just one goal in the back half of a 6-4 victory over Walsh Jesuit on Friday, as the Pirates punched a ticket to the final four in the DII Ohio Girls' Lacrosse Tournament.
The contest between the Pirates and Warriors was a patient, defensive chess match all the way through. River went queen to knight's rook 4 to knock the first piece off the board when Blair Willse scored on an Olivia Konopka assist at 16:01 of the first. Bigger noise still was made when Willse assisted on an Ella Nejad goal 90 seconds later, extending the Pirate lead to 2-0. But the home side would have to kick the can on down the road on any thought of maintaining such a lead throughout.
The visiting Warriors -- the No. 3 seed in the Region 5 bracket -- got mid-first-period goals from Mimi Vitantonio and Kyra Dossa. The Pirates countered, however, on a nifty Konopka goal at 10:30, and the top-seeded home side regained its lead. Walsh and River traded late-period goals -- Lexi Strazzanti for the Warriors and Iris Polly for the Pirates -- and Rocky River went into halftime leading, 4-3.
In a physical exchange of yellow cards and defensive stands, the second half would include only three goals of the whistle-stopped, free-position variety. River landed the first of those at 23:19 of the second, when Konopka scored her second of the night. A Dossa goal came at 19:12 to get the Warriors back within one (5-4).
The remaining 19 minutes and change were a patient back and forth in offensive sets and frenetic stick-and-shoulder, catch-run-pass-and-steal action over the middle 40 yards of the field. Big plays were turned in by Maya Patti, Daisy Thompson, and Kalyn Scalabrino; that trio was prominent in generating clears one way and halting them coming back the other. And all the while, as if battling each other wasn't enough of a challenge, both teams were battling the elements. The game was played in driving, Lake Erie-chilled winds throughout. Windy enough that if flurries of shots weren't moving the nets in the defensive tussle, the wind itself would shuffle the cages a bit before sand bags were brought in for weight at halftime.
The weight of what was at stake for both teams hit home in those final 19 minutes-and-12 seconds: One side would be shouting in the street, waving banners, ready to take on the world ... or at least three other teams still standing in Division 2. The other side would just drift into summer. As if displaced by the gale winds and becalmed in the doldrums.
Walsh netminder Mia Kavlick made a couple key saves over that final stretch. Her opposite, Hannah Burgess, made an aggressive move outside her crease to help steer a shot wide at the other end. But the gravity intensified when Olivia Konopka found twine for a third time in the game on a free-position goal at the 12:31-mark. The shot was true, and the lead was two.
That 6-4 score made its way through the final 12 minutes-and-31 seconds and all the way to the OHSAA offices in Columbus. Where Rocky River (14-6) was clicked one slot forward in the Buckeye State brackets.
And then there were indeed banners waving all over the place. One was the ensign of Pirates in battle, stiffened by 30-mile-an-hour winds. Flying above all others.
The Jolly Roger. Signaling that a full crew of Striped Buccaneers is still on the account.
CANNON FIRE ...
FROM THE BUCS SCORE: Friday's remarkably close game was born out by team statistics that reflected the even exchange. The Pirates outshot the Warriors, 13-12. Ground balls were a 20-17 tussle won by River. Walsh finished with 15 turnovers; Rocky River had 14. The Warriors won 7-of-12 draws. ... Kalyn Scalabrino registered three ground balls and two caused turnovers, Iris Polly had three ground balls. Daisy Thompson logged four ground balls and one spill. Maya Patti clocked three ground balls. ... Olivia Konopka's three goals and assist were added to what is an impressive playoff run for the sophomore. Konopka has tallied 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists) in River's four postseason games.
ON DECK: Rocky River will play Hathaway Brown, which made it all the way though Region 6 as a 4-seed, in one DII state semifinal. Cincinnati Mariemont (Region 8 champs) will meet Columbus Watterson (Region 7 champs) in the other final four contest. Both semifinal games will be conducted on Tuesday. Rocky River and Hathaway Brown will tangle at Strongsville High School in a 6 p.m. contest. The state championship game will be held June 5 at Selby Stadium in Delaware, Ohio. ... Hathaway Brown defeated Hawken, 12-3, on Friday.
BUCS & BLAZERS: The Blazers and Pirates played during the regular season (April 16), with River defeating Hathaway Brown, 11-6. ... Rocky River is in the state final four for a second time (2018) since girls' lacrosse became an OHSAA-sanctioned sport in 2017.
by Skip Snow
# # # pirates # # #