ROCKY RIVER, Ohio (April 10, 2025) -- Rocky River continued its busy week on Thursday as the Pirates hosted the Bombers of Kenston High School. The Maroon & White, which had downed Chagrin Falls and Brunswick earlier this week, continued to display sharp play around both cages in a 12-3 triumph over Kenston. The victory earned the Pirates a measure of retribution against a program that had defeated them last spring (10-9 loss at KHS April 23), and it continued a string of conquests in this 2025 campaign: the Double-R has now won eight consecutive games.
The River Raiders clocked an 8-0 run from the first quarter through the third. Junior attackman Joe Smith netted three goals during that decisive stretch and finished with four goals for the game. Senior attackman Dominic Ricketti also powered his way to a quartet of twine-finders. Rocky River (8-0) scored five goals in the opening stanza, three in the second period, three in the third, and one in the fourth.
A once-again-stingy River defense held the Bombers to a binary line score in their efforts to keep up. Kenston scored solo goals in the first, third, and fourth frames. The Bombers were held scoreless without a shot on net in the second. For the game, Kenston was limited to 21 shots; just seven were on goal.
The Pirates -- now 6-5 in their all-time series with the Bombers -- were a plus-12 in turnovers and a plus-23 in ground balls. Sophomore goalkeeper Gordon Hudson filed four saves, and defensive plays made in front of him were numerous. Led by junior midfielder Ryan Taylor's 10 scoops, four River players logged more-than-five ground balls. Hudson was often one of his own best defenders -- he tallied five himself. Senior defenseman William Sawyer registered five ground balls and five caused turnovers, and for good measure he chimed in at the other end with a pair of assists.
The River defense held the Bombers to what marks the lowest goal output in a series game since 2017 when the Pirates earned a 7-3 win over Kenston (April 16, 2017). And Thursday's goal differential set a new highwater mark for the series. The Sons of Blackbeard have now held opposing teams to six goals or less five times this season.
On offense, Connor Nesbett threaded together the fine work of Ricketti and Smith. Nesbett collected five assists and now has a team-high 21 helpers this season. The sophomore attackman also kept many a possession alive on a night that saw him record five ground balls.
Michael Bebie had two goals while logging three ground balls.
Ricketti's second goal of the night marked his team-high 20th of the season. He also registered 4 GB and 2 CT.
Cohen Blair (4 GB, 4 CT) and Anderson Hahn (3 GB, 3 CT) were also key members of the Double-R's scoop-and-spill brigade.
William Hamm clocked all three goals for the Bombers.
A win streak not slowed by a flurry of games in this second week of April is now the program's longest since 2011, when Rocky River opened the season with 16 straight wins.
The Buccaneers' hectic slate rolls on in less-than-48 hours when the Maroon & White play host to the Seneca Valley (Pa.) Raiders. That interstate clash will be held Saturday at 1 p.m.
And representing the Buckeye State in that one will be an unbeaten Buccaneer squad. Still.
by Skip Snow
# # # RR # # #