Last-Minute Goal Sinks Watterson in Division II Lacrosse Championship

The Watterson boys lacrosse team faced an unexpected turn of events during the state final, concluding their season on a disappointing note. With just 9 seconds remaining, Michael Bebie's fourth goal propelled Rocky River to a narrow 9-8 victory over the reigning champions on June 6 at Historic Crew Stadium. This match followed an extended delay of over three and a half hours due to thunderstorms.

Sophomore attacker Dash Hoy shone for Watterson (18-3), contributing three goals, including one that briefly put the Eagles ahead with 2:36 left in the game. Despite dominating the shot count with a staggering 39-17 advantage and winning 14 out of 20 faceoffs, Watterson faltered in the final minutes, allowing Rocky River to outscore them 5-1 during that critical stretch.

The Eagles initially held a 7-4 lead early in the fourth quarter, thanks to a goal from senior attacker Luke Ishmael. However, the Pirates quickly rallied, scoring three goals in a span of less than two minutes to tie the game. Bebie, Ryan Taylor, and Connor Nesbett were key contributors, with Nesbett's goal equalizing the score at 8-8 with 1:28 left on the clock. Bebie's final shot sealed the game just before the buzzer, sending Watterson home empty-handed.

The match, which was originally slated to start at 4 p.m., faced a 25-minute delay due to a prior Division I final between Cincinnati St. Xavier and Cleveland St. Ignatius. This prolonged wait did not deter Watterson’s early momentum, as they controlled possession for much of the first quarter. The Eagles struck first with a goal from sophomore Will Harris just over a minute into the game, while Rocky River struggled to find their footing until Bebie scored their first shot on goal.

Watterson's dominance continued through the second quarter, where they scored four consecutive goals to establish a 5-3 halftime lead. However, Rocky River managed to regain momentum, with Parker Nesbett scoring late in the third quarter. Watterson's goalie, Kolt Rundio, recorded four saves, while Rocky River's Gordon Hudson was busy, making an impressive 13 saves throughout the match.