Girls Field Hockey: East Snaps Three Game Losing Streak

Cranston East overwhelmed the Mariners in the first half, not allowing a shot on goal, and netted three of their own, as they kept their playoff hopes alive with a 3-0 home victory over Rocky Hill on Tuesday.

The Thunderbolts started the game with consistent pressure. Bihelra Quinonez had a great attack setting up a penalty corner, and moments later Mariely Jimenez found the back of the net on a rebound of a Beatrix Kanno shot, and the Thunderbolts jumped out to an early 1-0 lead five minutes into the game. 

Nina Steiner and Kanno would keep the Thunderbolts on the attack. Steiner had a scorching shot from the point off a penalty corner, but a great save was made by Hannah Thoms. But Thoms couldn't stop a similar shot from Kanno on the ensuing penalty corner. Kanno found the right corner of the goal, giving the Thunderbolts a 2-0 lead fifteen minutes into play.

Later, in the 26th minute, Steiner found Quinonez with a gorgeous pass, leading her to the net and Quinonez beat Thoms stick side, giving the 'Bolts a commanding 3-0 lead. 

The Cranston East attack was relentless throughout the first half and through much of the second half, But Thoms only allowed the three first half goals.

"Their goalie is fantastic. Their goalie is excellent. If they don't have a good goalie in net, that game could've been 8-0 or 9-0," Coach Robert Finelli said, speaking about the play of Mariners Goalkeeper Hannah Thoms.

But Unfortunately for Thoms, her offense rarely penetrated into the offensive zone and could not capitalize on the few opportunities they did have. 

The Mariners kept Cranston East off the board in the second half but could not muster a goal of their own as they fell 3-0 to Cranston East.

After tying 0-0 in overtime in their first meeting, Cranston East is able to get a few past Thoms and secure a 3-0 victory, keeping their playoff chances alive.

"I talked to them, and I said 'Your season is on the line right here, you're battling for position, and you've got to have that killer instinct. And you have to go out there and take them out early, and you can't let them hang around'," Finelli said.

Although it does not show up on the scoring sheet, Nina Steiner did all of the little things for the Thunderbolts. 

"Nina had a great game, but she couldn't finish. And she was getting frustrated. But when you're a coach you don't just watch who scored the goal or who set up the goal, you watch the whole game. You see what happened before that to prevent a goal, or to get the ball to a spot ten seconds earlier, or beat a girl to a spot, and I see all of those things. And she killed it in those areas. Honestly I think this was her best game of the season," Finelli said.

Cranston East now sits at 3-7-1 in division play and will face off against Woonsocket on the road Thursday, looking for its first win on a grass field.

"We haven't even played well on a grass field, so we've got to go down there and battle. The goal has always been the playoffs. It's right there. If you want it, go get it. Don't let these girls take it away from you. Go get it. Go earn it," Coach Finelli said, talking about his post-game speech to his team.