ROCKY RIVER, Ohio (May 9, 2024) -- The Pirates once again clamped down on defense, as they earned a 7-4 victory in a hard-fought, rainy-night Thursday home game against Toledo St. Francis.
The Double-R would not be doubled up in any quarter: River held the Knights (10-6) to just one goal in each frame in allowing four total goals or less for a 10th time this season. Rocky River put 15 shots on goal to the Knights' 10, turned aside each of three St. Francis extra-man opportunities, and won the turnover battle 15 to 19.
Freshman attackman Michael Bebie scored three goals, all in the first 18 minutes of play. Bebie has now registered multiple points in four straight games. He finished the night with two ground balls and three caused turnovers and collected his three goals on four shots.
Senior captain Trent Delventhal paced the Pirate defense with six scoops and three spills. The defenseman has ledgered 15 ground balls over Rocky River's last two games.
The Pirates (12-5) never trailed in what marked their 25th all-time meeting with St. Francis. River led 3-2 at halftime, and then took charge with a 3-for-1 exchange in a third period marked by two Andrew Lang goals.
Freshman goalkeeper Gordon Hudson made a couple grade-A stops among six saves he logged on the night. He now owns a robust .556 save percentage for the season.
Cohen Blair (3 GB), Ben Bogre (2 GB), Rowan McDougal (two assists), Dominic Ricketti (1G, 1A, 2 GB), William Sawyer (2 GB, 1 CT), and Tyler Stanciu (2 GB, 1 CT) were box-score standouts in what marked the Pirates' third win in their last four meetings against the Knights.
Senior midfielder Matthew Disalle scored three goals for St. Francis.
Thursday's contest on Detroit Road marked Rocky River's final regular-season home game. The Pirates -- 8-0 this season at the Lacrosse Grounds on Detroit Road -- will close out their regular season Saturday at Shaker Heights (2 p.m. opening faceoff).
CANNON FIRE ...
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE: Rocky River has allowed just 5.0 goals per game this season. That's the program's best would-be season average since 2018 (5.0). ... After several games of struggling in clearing the defensive zone, the Pirates went 18-of-21 in that department Thursday.
KNIGHT GAMES: River and St. Francis have met once each of the last four years. All four games were decided by three goals or less. The all-time series between the Pirates and Knights dates back to 2005, the first year of Rocky River Lacrosse. St. Francis leads the series 13-12.
by Skip Snow
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