ROCKY RIVER, Ohio -- Rocky River defeated Ottawa Hills 18-3 Saturday to advance in Buckeye State tournament play. The Pirates are now headed for a Tuesday semifinal game in the
DII Region 5 Tournament.
The Striped Buccaneers shut out the Green Bears 7-0 in Saturday's second half, and the Pirates allowed just one shot on goal in those final 25 minutes. Rocky River (16-2) committed just four turnovers in a well-played game in front of an enthusiastic crowd on a warm afternoon at Rocky River Stadium.
Senior midfielder Ella Nejad had a six-point game (five goals, assist) and now has 14 points (9G, 5A) through two River playoff games. In a continuing trend, the Pirates got production up and down a deep starting lineup and bench. Seven different players scored as the Maroon & White rattled off their fourth consecutive win by a double-digit margin. River has won five in a row overall.
Joining Nejad among the names most frequently entered in Saturday's scoring rolls were Olivia Konopka and Kaitlyn Byrne. Konopka had four goals in the contest; Byrne had three. Kaitlyn Byrne's third goal of the game marked the 50th of her career.
Rocky River logged eight caused turnovers and finished the game as a plus-14 (4-18) in the miscue department. Kalyn Scalabrino tallied three spills and as many scoops. Byrne added two and two. Attackers and midfielders were tenacious on the ride, spoiling many an Ottawa Hills clearing attempt.
River's 18-goal assault included senior defender Madeline Lundin scoring her first career goal.
The Pirates outshot the Bears 46-10.
Rocky River -- the top seed in Region 5 -- will host No. 4 Cuyahoga Valley, winners of a 15-12 game over Revere, on Tuesday (6 p.m. opening draw).
by Skip Snow
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