Field Hockey: 'Bolts Can't Snap Smithfield's Streak

The Cranston East seniors were honored at halftime during the field hockey game on Friday afternoon against Smithfield High School. Unfortunately for them, their last home game would not end with a victory. The Sentinels unbeaten streak, dating back to last year, sits at 32 games, as they defeated the Bolts 6-0. Amazingly they have only given up one goal in 14 games this season, and have scored 63.

In the opening minute of the game, Smithfield's Alexa Shilko streaked down the right sideline and found the back of the net. Cranston East regrouped after the early mishap, but could not muster a consistent offensive attack.

Throughout the first half, the Thunderbolts pressure and aggressiveness stood out, but they lack the weapons to be a dominant offensive team. East was attacking Smithfield and applying heavy pressure on the ball.

"Cranston East came out so hard and so fast, but I think they ran out of steam," Smithfield's coach, Andy Dewhirst, said.

The Sentinels added to their lead with about ten minutes left in the half. Co-captain Marissa Gagnon received a pass from Shannon Donahue and she blasted it past the Bolts goalie.

Gagnon proved to be a force offensively in the game, as she finished with 3 goals and one assist. With a minute left in the first half, she lofted the ball in the air to senior Emily Gonsalves, who had made a run up the middle of the field. Gonsalves dribbled past two defenders and finished the breakaway, giving the Sentinels a 3-0 lead heading into halftime.

Smithfield's offense began to take control of the game in the second half. Their ball movement and crisp passing wore down the Thunderbolts. They played a possession game, and similar to soccer, the ball moves faster than anyone can run. Eventually, the Sentinels quick passes and ball movement would wear on East.

Gagnon scored two goals in a span of 45 seconds, about nine minutes into the second half, extending the lead to 5-0.

"This kid has shown potential from the second she stepped on a field hockey field as a freshman," Dewhirst said, "She is unstoppable and is on every game, she just does not have an off game."

With just under ten minutes left, Shilko crossed it from the left sideline and Allison Sylvester buried home the shot, making it 6-0. After winning a state championship last year, with a 17-0-1 record, the Sentinels now stand at 14-0 and will be the favorites to claim the title again.

Download the movie