A team celebrating senior day can easily be distracted from accomplishing their goal of winning the game that same day. There are signs and posters designed, flowers bought, and other preparations too. Sometimes a team will not perform well on the field because they are caught up in all of the festivities taking place during their last home game.
The Cranston East girls soccer team did not fall into this trap on Wednesday afternoon. They played host to the Saints from St. Raphael Academy. Heading into the game, the Saints were tied for third place in Division III, with a 12-2-1 record. The Bolts entered play with a 10-4 record, sixth place in the division. They were in control from the outset and played one of their best games of the season, winning 3-1.
In the ninth minute, East co-captain Kelsy Evje ran onto the ball in the penalty box, off of a free kick, and gently placed it into the back of the net. Two minutes later, Evje blasted a shot on on the right side of the field from 25 yards out to give her team a 2-0 lead. The shot was placed in a perfect position, far post, lower 90.
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Saints co-captain Kytresa Ivey-Jones came inches away from scoring in the 14th minute. She attacked the Bolts keeper on a breakaway from the left side and her shot grazed off the far post, keeping the score at 2-0.
In the 18th minute, Evje had a golden opportunity to pad the lead and pick up a hat trick. She took a penalty kick, after a hand ball in the box, but the shot struck the post and went back into play.
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Cranston East's goalkeeper, sophomore Olivia Tagliaferri, made several crucial saves in the first half. Ivey-Jones had another breakaway in the 25th minute, and Tagliaferri made the save.
With just under ten minutes left in the half, the Saints cut their deficit in half. On several plays in the first half, St. Raphael was called for offsides, and some of them were disputable.
In what appeared to be a make-up call, one of their players who seemed to be in an offsides position, was ruled onsides and it led to the goal. Junior Hennasey Ogni received the pass and crossed it over to Ivey-Jones, who buried home the opportunity. Several East players stopped, waiting for the whistle that never came.
Both teams had their chances to score in the second half, but only one goal was scored. Tagliaferri continued her excellent play in net for the Bolts and did not allow a goal in the second half.
East provided themselves a cushion, by scoring once in the second half, to extend their lead to 3-1. A team feels more comfortable when they have a two goal lead, because there is a margin for error, whereas if the lead is only one goal, one mistake and it is a tie game.
The Thunderbolts went on to win the game 3-1 and will wrap up their season with a game on Monday against ninth place Masters Regional Academy.
