Sports

Rocky River vs. Walsh Jesuit boys lacrosse: Pirates' defense holds Warriors to second-lowest scoring performance of the season to claim Division II regional title

By Mark Perez-Krywany, The Morning Journal, Lorain, Ohio The Tribune Content Agency

May 29, 2026 6:51 AM

Against a high-powered offense like Walsh Jesuit, Rocky River knew it needed defense to win a championship.

With back-to-back regional titles on the line in the Division II Region 5 championship game, the Pirates held the Warriors to their second-lowest scoring performance of the season.

The offense featured a five-goal performance from attacker Joe Smith, and Rocky River secured its second straight final four appearance with a 13-6 victory on May 28.

Back to back 🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/CSC3JkhD8d

- Mark Perez-Krywany (@Perez_Sports) May 29, 2026

"It was a good win," Rocky River coach Griff Vehar said. "We kept our composure. We started playing our games a little earlier than in Tuesday's game. It was another good result."

Rocky River (16-0) advanced to a Division II state semifinal. It will take on Gilmour Academy, which defeated Wooster, 8-7, in the Division II Region 6 final.

Final 🥍

Rocky River holds Walsh Jesuit to its second lowest scoring performance of the season

Pirates win 13-6 for their second straight regional title@WJ_Warriors @116sports @MJournalSports pic.twitter.com/qmmNxHQEUn

- Mark Perez-Krywany (@Perez_Sports) May 29, 2026

Similar to the Toledo St. John's win on May 26, the beginning was a rocky start with a 3-1 deficit.

Rocky River vs. Toledo St. John's Jesuit boys lacrosse: Connor Nesbett fuels late push for Pirates' Division II regional semifinal win

Although Rocky River trailed, goalie Gordon Hudson was tested with six first-quarter saves. He made several saves while the team was a man down twice, which kept the deficit manageable.

"We knew that Walsh was going to come out firing really early. We kind of got kicked in the butt at the beginning, but we bounced back as a team and as a family," Hudson said.

After Walsh scored its third goal at 10:34 in the second quarter, Rocky River's defense held the Warriors scoreless for the next 17 minutes.

"Our strengths are our communication, our off-ball movement and our ability to work together," Hudson said. "We are talking through picks and everything that is happening. We bounce back from big mistakes."

Meanwhile, the Pirates offense went on a 6-0 run to take a 7-3 third-quarter lead.

Walsh Jesuit's Greyson Zupsansky, who was recently named Division II Region 5 Player of the Year, was held to one goal, which occurred late in the third quarter.

"We lost a solid core group of defense (from last year)," Vehar said. "With Cohen (Blair), I can't say enough about Cohen, Gordon (Hudson) with the way they have stepped up. Michael McDonough is a senior captain. The way those guys lead on the field, we are really lucky to have them."

Smith was the first Rocky River player to score since taking a 1-0 lead in the first quarter.

"I had five goals today, but it is really a team thing," Smith said. "It is about getting on the field with these boys. We have been here before. Last year, it was the same team in the same regional final. We were comfortable. We knew what we were going to do and the type of team that they were. I played good, and it happens, but it is about the team behind me."

Smith was assisted by Connor Nesbett, who finished the game with four assists and one goal. It was the same stat line Nesbett had against St. John's.

St. Bonaventure commit Michael Bebie had major contributions late in the first half, scoring two of his three goals with an assist.

Nesbett assists Bebie's second goal

Pirates take a 5-3 halftime lead@WJ_Warriors @116sports @MJournalSports pic.twitter.com/o0iaEpN4BR

- Mark Perez-Krywany (@Perez_Sports) May 28, 2026

Rocky River entered halftime with a 5-3 lead, and Smith scored two straight goals.

Joe Smith scores to open the second half for RR@WJ_Warriors @116sports @MJournalSports pic.twitter.com/XXfhqTgUEN

- Mark Perez-Krywany (@Perez_Sports) May 29, 2026

Smith said that the defensive stops give the offense momentum.

"It gives us opportunities," Smith said. "The more (the defense) gets the ball on the ground and picks it up, the more we get the ball on our sticks and we get to do our thing on our side of the field.

In addition to a big night between the sticks, Hudson recorded an assist.

With his goalie stick, he threw a deep pass for Nesbett to score his second goal and extend the lead to 9-4.

"It was super exciting. I do not get many points, honestly. I had one last year, but it was shortly timed. I noticed (the opportunity), so I just threw it up," Hudson said.

The score

Rocky River 13, Walsh Jesuit 6