TOLEDO, Ohio (May 19, 2023) -- Rocky River's 2023 season came to end against a tough Toledo St. John's team Friday evening. The Titans defeated the Pirates 13-4.

St. John's jumped out to a 4-1 lead after one quarter and never looked back. The Pirates were down 9-2 by halftime, and they failed to mount a charge in the second. With the victory, the Titans (12-6) -- the No. 4 seed in Region 5 -- advanced to a semifinal in the DII Region 5 Tournament.

Seventh-seed Rocky River (8-10) was outshot 29-12, and the Pirates were held to just seven shots on goal. The Maroon & White were held to 16 shots or fewer in three of their last six games.

Senior Tyler Meader led the host Titans with five goals on the night. St. John's was a plus-7 in turnover margin (14, 21).

Rocky River got a goal and an assist from Ryan Hildebrand, a goal from Wes Bennett, a goal from Dominic Ricketti, a goal from Andrew Lang, six ground balls and three caused turnovers from Cohen Blair, two ground balls and two caused turnovers from Griffin Sawyer, and five scoops from Mac Scott.

"This season had some very high highs and some very low lows," said coach Griffin Vehar. "But I am proud of how this team fought until the end."

For the Double-R, the end of the season also marked the end of 13 prep careers. Playing in their final game Friday were seniors Wes Bennett, JP Corrigan, Tyler Fortune, Parker Hartup, Ryan Hildebrand, Cole Mackin, Matthew Malloy, Mack Massad, Jack McBride, Niko Rose, Mac Scott, Carter Smith, and Ian Walsh.

Cap tip to a Buccaneer's dozen and their families for another hard-charging, swashbuckling, Fear-the-Pirate spring.


by Skip Snow

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