Girls Soccer: Falcons Claim City Cup, Defeating the Thunderbolts

The Cranston West Falcons girls soccer team matched up against Cranston East on Sunday night at Cranston Stadium in the City Cup game. It was a non-leauge match, because West competes in Division I and the Bolts are in Division III. The Falcons put together an offensive onslaught in the second half, scoring all four of their goals in the half, and won it 4-0.

Throughout the first half of play, West had a slight edge in ball possession and scoring chances. About eight minutes into the match, Falcons senior Ariana Stanton crossed the ball to senior Meghan Hammond, who had the ball inside the 6 yard box. Hammond's shot missed wide and West had wasted a golden opportunity to take the lead.

The Thunderbolts defensive pressure and intensity was evident throughout the first half. East had some scoring chances but mostly were on the defensive in the half.

About five minutes into the second half, the Falcons took the lead. Alex Stanton took the corner kick, sister Ariana Stanton headed the ball in the box, and junior Leanna Ly finished the play with a header.

"She is an intense player and very physical," Charles Pearson, West's coach, said.

A few minutes later a shot from the top of the box by West senior Erika Rekrut missed by inches.

Alex Stanton took a free kick from about 40 yards out and Ly ran onto the ball inside the box and buried it home, giving West a 2-0 lead with about 23 minutes left in the game.

Cranston East's best chance of the night came on a breakaway with just under 17 minutes left in the game. Junior Annie Clarkin placed the ball on the ground towards the far post, but it went just wide.

Alex Stanton picked up her third assist of the game on a cross from the left side and Rekrut found the back of the net. Stanton scored on a shot from 30 yards out with about six minutes left, the fourth and final goal of the game.

"In the second half they executed and moved the ball well," Pearson added.

"They did not give up the entire time and showed heart out there," East's coach, Lauren Tomasso said.

Both teams wrap up their regular seasons this week and look to improve their seed for the playoffs.