By ERIC BENEVIDES Sports writer PROVIDENCE --- The fans who flocked to Rhode Island College to watch Woonsocket High and Tolman High lock horns in a duel for the Division IV state title were expecting to see an exciting battle -- and for good reason. Three of their past four regular-season games ended in ties -- with the Villa Novans capturing the last meeting by a 2-1 score on Oct. 9 -- and both sides also faced each other in a competitive clash in last November’s finals. But while that game was competitive, Sunday night’s rematch was not. The Villa Novans dominated the game from start to finish, outshot the Tigers by a 17-4 margin, and received some strong play from their seniors. As a result, they repeated as state champions and inked the finishing touches on their second straight unbeaten season with a surprisingly-lopsided 5-0 victory. “I thought it was going to be a close game, but my team wanted this more,” noted Woonsocket coach Kathleen Fagnant, whose crew raised its record to 17-0-1 and its unbeaten streak to 36 games. “They worked hard for this win because they wanted it, and tonight, they got it. I’m very proud of them.” While Fagnant and her players were happy with the win, Tolman coach Bel Pereira was very disappointed with the one-sided setback, which dropped his team’s record to 14-2-2 and denied the Tigers the chance to win their fourth Division IV title of the decade. “We just came out flat,” said Pereira. “We didn’t play our real game. I really don’t know what happened. I thought we were prepared and ready to go, but Woonsocket was the better team today. They beat us fair and square, there’s no doubts about that. They really took it to us.” Senior forward Kristen Cahill, the Novans’ all-time leading scorer, netted a pair of second-half goals, her 24th and 25th of the season, to lead the Novans’ assault. Her first goal, and an unassisted score from senior defender Nicole Boucher, came within 21 seconds of each other midway through the second half and turned this game into a runaway. Senior center midfielder Brooke Coderre, who was one of the Novans’ top scorers this season, didn’t figure in any of the goals, but was still named the MVP of the game for her excellent all-around play. Coderre was also named the game’s top player in the Division II girls’ basketball championship game last March when the Novans defeated Barrington High. Unfortunately for Coderre and her teammates, they weren’t able to receive their championship plaque and medals and Coderre’s MVP trophy in front of their fans in the post-game ceremony. It was called off by RIIL executive director Thomas Mezzanotte after a brawl broke out at the bottom of the bleachers among fans from both teams. But that was the night’s second fight. The first was a bench-clearing melee between both teams less than a minute after Cahill scored the Novans’ final goal with 2:07 to play in the game. With time winding down, two players from each team collided in pursuit of the ball near Woonsocket’s bench, and when they exchanged punches, both benches spilled onto the field. Once order was restored and both teams were sent back to their benches, the referees stopped the game, and along with RIIL officials, closely monitored the post-game handshake line to make sure no more incidents broke out. Both teams then went to the other end of the field to participate in the post-game ceremony, but before public address announcer Tim Geary could get a full sentence into the ceremony and Tolman could receive its runner-up plaque, the incident in the bleachers broke out. "Frustrations are frustrations," said Fagnant. "Down 5-0, we're both physical teams, you can only take so much, and at a certain point, someone snapped. I really don't know (who), I wasn't on the field, and I don't know how the banter went. Things got out of control." As for the game, sophomore defender Allyson Cartier and freshman forward Krislyn Godin scored first-half goals for the Novans and the defense took care of the rest, limiting the Tigers to just one bonafide scoring opportunity en route to their 13th shutout of the season. That scoring opportunity took place in the game’s first minute on a partial breakaway from sophomore striker (and 32-goal scorer) Valeria Zapata, but senior goalie Kayla Cullerton came out of the net to make a stellar save. Five minutes later, Woonsocket got on the board on a direct kick by Cartier that zipped through a wall of Tolman players and squeezed into the back of the net between Tolman goalie Jennifer Boisclair and the right post. The Novans doubled their lead at 19:34 on Godin’s 13th goal of the season that was set up nicely by senior Sam Landry. Godin was wide open in front of the net for her goal, because when Landry slipped her a cross pass from the side of the net, Landry drew Boisclair away from the net to contest her. The score remained a two-goal affair until the 58th minute of the game and Cahill and Boucher struck for their goals. At 58:27, Cahill scored on a pass from Beth Majewski, and while the Novans and their fans were celebrating that goal, Boucher zoomed in for her goal. “I was a little surprised,” Coderre said when asked about the final score. “I think that once we got ahead, they kind of let down a little, and that’s when we really broke the game open.” Coderre was one of six Novans seniors who concluded their soccer careers in style with a repeat championship, but began their careers on an 0-16 team that was wallowing in the Division III ranks before dropping down a league the following season. “The group of seniors that I have boosted this team up since their freshman year and changed the dynamic of the team,” said Fagnant. “They’re a great group of girls. They work hard in practice and the camaraderie among them is what got us here and got us this win and I‘m proud of them.” “Our team is really like a family,” added Coderre. “It’s pretty crazy to have two undefeated seasons, but if there was a group to do it, it was this group.” *** Tolman 0 - 0 -- 0 Woonsocket 2 - 3 -- 5 First half: W -- Allyson Cartier (unassisted), 5:41; W -- Krislyn Godin (Sam Landry), 19:34. Second half: W -- Kristin Cahill (Beth Majewski), 18:27, W -- Nicole Boucher (unassisted), 18:48; W -- Kristin Cahill (unassisted), 37:53. Shots on goal: Tolman 4, Woonsocket 17. Goalie saves: T -- Jen Boisclair (12 saves); W -- Kayla Cullerton (4 saves).
Last Updated ( Monday, 09 November 2009 )
Seekonk's Larrimer wins Junior/Senior race
on 11-09-2009 02:06
WRENTHAM – Seekonk’s Nate Larrimer clocked a personal best time by nearly 30 seconds on the 3.1 mile course at the Wrentham State School Saturday as the junior finished first at the Mass. Track Coaches Association’s Invitational Junior/Senior Race. Larrimer was clocked in a time of 16 minutes and 29 seconds. Other Seekonk placements: 14. Cody Archambeault 16:58; 26. Ryan Brown 17:14; 35. Mark Hafley 17:25. On the girls’ side, South Coast Conference champion Jen Salit finished third in the Junior Senior race in a time of 19:17. Emily Gagliardi finished ninth in 19:46 and Anna Spencer took 41st place in a time of 21:36. “All of our kids ran personal-best times,” Seekonk coach Eli Mello pointed out. The Warriors will compete in the MIAA Division IV meet at Franklin Park on Saturday.
SRA gridders lose 'heartbreaker'
on 11-09-2009 02:05
PAWTUCKET – In what St. Raphael head coach Mike Sassi coined “a heartbreaker,” Bishop Hendricken escaped Pariseau Field with a 21-14 decision Saturday at Pariseau Field. Hendricken, which visits East Providence this Friday night in what should be an intriguing Division I matchup, scored the go-ahead touchdown – a three-yard run – with 63 seconds remaining in the game. “We played great against a team that’s probably going to the playoffs in Division I,” said Sassi. “We just didn’t have enough manpower in the end. We had a few guys out hurt and sick; we don’t much depth to begin with and we’re playing a school (Hendricken) that has a boatload of depth and has more kids on their team than we have boys at our school.” The loss sinks the Saints to 1-5 in league play with games remaining against defending state champ La Salle (this Friday in Providence) and a one-win Rogers squad (Thanksgiving Eve in Pawtucket). Friday’s game against the Rams will complete a brutal four-game stretch in which SRA faced the upper crust of the league. The games against Barrington, Portsmouth and now Hendricken have seen St. Raphael get outscored by an 81-26 margin. “We don’t have any (teams such as) Pilgrim on our schedule,” said Sassi. Junior quarterback Trevor Vasey passed for 179 yards and two touchdowns with zero interceptions. His scoring strikes were to Nael Pierre-Louis (72 yards) and Cory Cotter (34 yards). Pierre-Louis also added a two-point conversion. Defensively the Saints, dressing just 25 non-freshman, recorded six sacks.
Lincoln booted by East Greenwich
on 11-08-2009 23:10
By BRENDAN McGAIR
Sports writer
PROVIDENCE – The first-ever championship in program history came at the expense of their opponents’ bid to cop back-to-back crowns. East Greenwich, owners of a top-flight offense (80 goals compiled during the regular season) and a stingy defense (just eight goals permitted), displayed the entire package Saturday afternoon in a 3-0 dethroning of defending Division II champion Lincoln at Rhode Island. The title ends a 30-year drought for the Avengers, who were led by MVP Michael Monti’s two goals. For the Lions, the North’s fifth seed, the clock finally struck midnight on what was truly a remarkable – and in some corners, largely unexpected – playoff run, this after such a pedestrian season (7-7-2). Head coach Victor Alves’ crew knocked off three higher seeded clubs, eliminating fourth-seeded Pilgrim in the preliminary round, then upsetting two teams who Lincoln was unable to defeat in the regular season – No. 1 seed Shea (2-1 in the quarterfinals) and third-seeded Central (3-0 in the semis). “I’m proud of the boys. They played hard all year, going through some things,” said Alves. “It’s a privilege to be (back playing for a shot at the title). “This is a good group of boys, they were never gave up” continued Alves. “Today was a great display by East Greenwich.” The Lions managed just two shots on Avengers goalie Oscar Goodwin, none coming in the second half. “Their goals against is low for a reason, and it shows. That means you’re doing something good as far as manning up on your players,” said Alves. “We had a hard time moving the ball from our midfielders to our forwards. When we’re chasing more than we have the ball at our feet, than the advantage is with the other team.” East Greenwich, the top seed from the South, dominated right from the get-go, peppering Lincoln netminder Evan Walsh (nine saves) with shots from all angles in the opening half. The senior was the primary reason why the game was scoreless at halftime and why the Avengers were starting to feel the pinch that comes with living up to a 15-0-1 regular season. “They had their heads down like they were losing,” said E.G. head coach Patrick McGuirl. “(Walsh) kept getting everything.” East Greenwich altered its strategy in the second half, deciding to force the action down towards the corners instead of challenging Walsh head-on. Displaying great patience, the Avengers’ Benjamin Berger maneuvered around the Lions’ Jay Campbell before calmly flicking the ball to an awaiting Monti. The East Greenwich junior took care of the rest, roofing a shot past Walsh to snap a scoreless stalemate with 17:16 remaining. Playing loose and with the lead, the Avengers doubled their pleasure five minutes later. This time is was Robert Bialy setting up Monti with a feed traveling from Walsh’s left. Using his chest to knock the ball in, Monti scored from six yards away to give East Greenwich a comfortable two-goal cushion with 12:14 left. “We wanted to keep it away from the keeper by going to the corner flags, than cutting it back,” explained McGuirl. “They had pressure on us and we tried to do the best we could,” said Alves. Scott Douglas sealed the victory when the senior captain scored on a breakaway with less than five minutes to play. After an extensive drought that lasted over 60 minutes, the Avengers compiled three goals in a 13-minute span. Douglas, who left the game shortly before intermission after locking his left knee with teammate Brian Doyle, returned just prior to the Avengers seizing command. Alves spoke glowingly about Walsh and what he has met to the Lions’ success the past few seasons. Walsh along with fellow senior Jeremy Rhault and junior Emmanuel Asiedu represented Lincoln on the all-tournament team. “The kids call Evan ‘The Beast.’ People have been amazing with a kid his size and the way he moves dating back to when he was a sophomore,” said Alves. “We wouldn’t be here without him.” Then it came time for Alves to talk about Rhault’s worth to the cause. “Just a tremendous player, a honor to have on your side. We missed him last year after he underwent Tommy John surgery and we’ll miss him next year.” *** Lincoln 0-0 – 0 East Greenwich 0-3 – 3 First Half: No scoring. Second Half: EG – Michael Monti (Benjamin Berger), 22:44; EG – Monti (Robert Bialy), 27:46; EG – Scott Douglas (Bialy), 35:10. Shots on Goal: L 2; EG 12. Goalie Saves: Evan Walsh (L) 9; Oscar Goodwin (EG) 2.
E.P. spikers win playoff opener
on 11-07-2009 04:01
EAST PROVIDENCE -- The week-long layoff didn’t hurt East Providence’s volleyball team on Friday night in its Division I playoff opener against Toll Gate. The Townies rolled to a decisive 3-0 victory over Toll Gate, winning by scores of 25-13, 25-17 and 25-15. “The kids were ready to play,” E.P. coach Alex Butler said after the match ended. “We scrimmaged Mount St. Charles on Tuesday and played pretty well. I think the week off kind of got to the girls. They were tired of waiting.” The Townies, who won the North Division regular season title with a 17-1 record, made a couple of “early mistakes,” Butler admitted, before settling into a groove. Amanda Cabral led E.P. with 7 kills, 12 digs and 2 aces. Kim Thomas added 5 kills and 5 blocks while Jessica Amaral chipped in with 16 digs and 2 aces. Alex Amaral finished with 16 assists, 15 digs and 1 ace off her serving. The Townies will take on North Kingstown at 6 p.m. on Tuesday night inside the University of Rhode Island’s Keaney Gym in the semifinals of the Division I tournament. “We’re going to practice and then play,” Butler said, speaking of the three-day layoff over the weekend.
Best wishes to the Tigers tonight in the SuperBowl! - Celeste Swaim-Black
Good Luck to the Woodlawn basketball teams in their CYO games this weekend!! - From all the coach's
I wish the best to the Warriors on Saturday game keep up the great work team. George Carle auntie Ne-Ne is proud Happy hoildays from The Carle & Pettaway Family........
Good Luck Girls Basketball Tolman Tigers lets kick some courts... YEA JENNA !!!!!Keep it going!! - Carols Ayala
go sentinells THE CHAMPIONS ON ICE DIVISON 2 VINNIE (TEDDY BEAR) TUDINO.LOVE POPA - Anthony Paolino
Horoscope
