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Everything but the win: La Salle nips C.F. booters |
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Wednesday, 23 September 2009 |
By BRENDAN McGAIR
Sports writer
CENTRAL FALLS – Is it an oxymoron to feel good after a stinging loss? That’s what Central Falls High head coach Bobby Marchand wondered aloud following a tough-to-shallow 2-1 defeat to perennial power La Salle Academy on Tuesday night at the Corrigan Sports Complex.
In Marchand’s mind, C.F. did everything it possibly could to thwart La Salle. The Warriors reached the zenith of their potential only to have all hopes dashed when the Rams’ Joseph DellaSanta flicked the ball behind Warriors goaltender Bryan Barrios, a play that saw a crowd of Maroon shirts congregate in a small space. DellaSanta's second goal of the game broke a 1-all game with just over four minutes remaining.
“There are losses you inflict upon yourself or you didn’t play your top game. Tonight we did and there are no regrets about the way we played,” said Marchand after his crew dropped to 4-3-1 in Division I-North.
The Warriors’ play certainly made an impression on Rams head coach Mario Pereira, the primary architect behind La Salle copping six consecutive state titles earlier this decade. The Rams, the lone unbeaten team left in league play, improve to 8-0.
“I always look forward to playing Central Falls every year. They always play La Salle with a lot of spirit and they’re a bunch of kids who have a passion for the game, something I have an admiration for,” said Pereira. “They have some talented players and we’re fortunate to come out of here with a victory."
Pereira then took his appreciation for Central Falls to another level. “I wish more teams in Rhode Island would play like Central Falls or La Salle. Unfortunately too many people bypass the beauty of the game and don’t utilize the passing aspect because, I don’t know, maybe a fear of losing or trying to get things too quickly.
“I love the way Central Falls plays and we try to do a little bit of the same thing,” added Pereira. “Try and put the ball on the ground and pass the ball with a purpose. They (the Warriors) do a very nice job with that and I think they’re one of the better teams in the state, regardless of what they’re record says. They have a good mixture of ability and speed.”
Momentum mainly stayed by La Salle’s side in the first half, DellaSanta breaking a scoreless tie at the 28th minute. The senior was coming off a natural hat trick in last Friday’s 3-1 win against Mount St. Charles.
Thanks to a sprawling save by Barrios (nine saves) C.F.’s deficit stood at only a goal heading into intermission. How Barrios wound up in the cage is a story Marchand raves about.
“We did not have a goalie and Bryan is a midfielder by trade. Bryan volunteered to go back and said ‘I don’t know how good I’ll be,’” regaled Marchand. “He’s a goalie now.”
Central Falls drew even early in the second, partially the result of a “mistake by us,” according to Pereira. Victor Parra sized up a shot only to get denied by La Salle netminder Chris Macari. Fortunately for the Warriors Emmett Dixon was positioned perfectly to knock in the equalizer.
“At that time we felt pretty good,” said Marchand. “We thought it was looking good for us.”
Both sides played to a virtual standstill over the next 30 minutes, the Warriors thwarting the Rams’ desire to dig balls out of the corners and send them to the box, hoping that would lead to a fortuitous bounce or two. Central Falls’ primary strategy on offense consisted of senior defender Jose Flores booming the ball from midfield, hoping to catch a teammate in a footrace.
“His ball bounces over midfield and down [towards the opposition’s goal], which is a big weapon for us,” explained Marchand.
The Warriors will welcome back talented sophomore Kelvin Castillo come Thursday when Bishop Hendricken pays a visit. As Marchand stated, Castillo gives C.F. a spice that hasn’t been there through the first three weeks of the season.
“It adds depth, but it also adds a quality player and a finisher,” said Marchand. “There’s nothing in soccer like a true finisher. Kelvin is one. I saw him do that in the ninth grade and I hope I see that Thursday and the rest of the season.”
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 18 October 2009 )
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