Boys Soccer: Cranston East Ties in Agonizing Fashion

Cranston East defended well for the duration of the game and scored halfway through the first half, setting themselves up nicely for their first victory of the season. But some controversial officiating lead to multiple penalty kicks in the closing minutes for Mt. Hope, the last of which found the net, ending the game in a tie on Monday. 

Cranston East struggled out of the gate, turning it over in the midfield consistently. This resulted in maintained pressure by the Huskies. Randy Estrada missed above the crossbar on his shot attempt and Joel Ferrara had a point blank opportunity in front of the net, which was denied by Thunderbolt Goalkeeper Zachary Loeum. 

The defense and goaltending of the Thunderbolts kept them in the game early, but they looked tentative in the midfield and on the offensive end, needing a spark to relax. 

Cranston East would get that spark at the 20-minute mark, as Freshman Dennis Vasquez played a phenomenal ball from just inside midfield off a free kick, which found Chris Fernandes who was able to beat the goalie top shelf, giving Cranston East a 1-0 lead.

The Huskies turned up their intensity after the goal, but the Thunderbolts were able to weather the storm and started to get into a rhythm. The Thunderbolts started to create some scoring opportunities and several corner kicks. Although unsuccessful in stretching their lead, Cranston East did start to impose their will on the Huskies, as the half ended at 1-0.

The second half was played on both sides of the field, as the teams were trading scoring chances. John Ryan had a breakaway chance but was cut off by Sarkis Hairabedian, and Trevor Sousa had multiple shot attempts, but all were turned away by Cranston East Goalkeeper Zachary Loeum.

Dennis Vasquez continued to display his tremendous passing in the 55th minute, as he found Chris Fernandes ahead of the pack with only the goalie to beat, but Fernades' shot sailed over the crossbar, narrowly missing on his attempt to stretch the Thunderbolt lead.

Moments later Kyle Correia received a free kick in Mt. Hope territory. Correia's shot hit the goalie and hit the underside of the crossbar, bouncing down past the line. Thunderbolt players had crashed the net, moving it backwards, but the ball was clearly past the line. But much to the chagrin of the Cranston East fans, coaches, and players, no goal was awarded. 

Mt. Hope, given life, linked some precise passes together and put some pressure on the Thunderbolts. Putting their passing on display, Alan St. Vincent found Joel Ferrara, who dropped a pass off to John Ryan on the attack. But again Loeum stood his ground, making an unbelievable save in the 72nd minute to preserve the one goal lead.

Trevor Sousa put a couple more shots on goal for the Huskies but to no avail.

With the Cranston East fans, coaches, and players calling for the game-ending whistle, the game continued. The officials ended up allowing a controversial seven minutes of extra time due to stoppage.

A ticky-tack foul was called on Sarkis Hairabedian in the box by the referee on the opposite side of the field, awarding Joel Ferrara with a penalty kick. Ferrara made his first attempt, but failed to wait for the whistle to begin his approach. Ferrara's second attempt floated above the net, and Cranston East still held a 1-0 lead.

With the entire stadium calling for the game to end, it continued. And disaster struck the Thunderbolts, as Chris Fernandes was called for a handball in the box, resulting in another penalty shot. The Huskies converted this time, with Adam Floor tying the game and crushing the Cranston East hopes for a victory. Fernandes dropped to the ground, devastated, and had to be helped up by his coach and teammates. The game was called immediately following the goal, resulting in 1-1 tie.

Cranston East head Coach Victor Raposo was visibly upset with the officiating after the game. 

"I know I'm not supposed to talk about the referees, but it's pretty bad when the other coach comes up to me and tells me that these guys don't know what they're doing. They don't even know how to communicate. And you've got one referee at the 20 yard line whistling a foul on the 10 yard line on the other side of the field. How can that be possible?" Raposo said.

And you've got the referee telling me there is thirty seconds left. So I've got my entire team standing up ready to cheer for my goalie and my goal scorer. Two minutes go by. I look at my cellphone and three minutes go by and there is a penalty shot. Even the the other coach was saying 'Sir, it should be done by now'. It was a heartbreaker," Coach Raposo said.

On a positive note, Cranston East gains its first tie of the season.

"All I've got to say is that I'm proud of these gentlemen. I'm proud of the fans that came out on this Columbus Day. It was a beautiful match. Last time we played this team we lost 14-0. My goal was to build this camp up. 14-0 to a 1-1, an intense 1-1. I think we've done pretty good." coach Raposo said.

Coming off a crushing tie, the Thunderbolts will try to get that ever elusive first win on Thursday against Mt. Pleasant.