Mount Girls Top Cranston Co-op Squad, 4-0

Cranston’s Abbey Torres turned aside 52 shots, but maintained its unblemished record with a 4-0 victory February 18 in Woonsocket.

Junior Caitlin Shea, sophomore Alisha Sleboda and junior Lauren Levesque each scored a goal and added an assist to help the first-place Mounties improve to 15-0-0-0, and a pair of net-minders combined to secure a second consecutive shut-out for Mount St. Charles. 

The co-operative Thunderbirds are now 3-11-0-1 overall, and their intra-divisional mark slips to 3-10-0-1, including a pair of losses to Mount St. Charles.

“We played them a couple of weeks ago in Cranston and we actually had our way a little bit better down there,” said Stephen Shea, head coach of the Mounties. “It was 7-0. It could’ve been a lot more.”

Though Cranston was short-handed Friday, playing without sophomore Brianna Perrotti, junior Zoe Sprouls and senior captain Lauren Shea, the Thunderbirds protected Torres more effectively then they did during their first meeting with the Mounties.

“Defensively, it was probably one of our best games,” said Ashley Pagliarini, head coach of the Thunderbirds. “We played really well. Not only [Torres] stopping shots, but our defense was blocking shots and our forwards were playing strong ‘D’ as well.”

Torres made 19 first-period saves, but Shea and Levesque potted a pair to provide Mount St. Charles with a 2-0 lead.

The second period featured Sleboda’s goal, 14 more shots from the Mounties and the first for the Thunderbirds, who did not force Mount St. Charles junior goaltender Ariana Beauregard to work throughout the initial stanza. She successfully handled one shot—from Cranston’s Stephanie Casale—before stepping aside for her replacement, freshman Sarah Erban.

Torres thwarted 13 attempts during the second period, accruing 32 stops prior to intermission.

“My goalie played unbelievable,” Pagliarini said. “She’s been awesome for us all season. We know she’s going to come to play and make a lot of saves for us, which we need.”

Erban denied the Thunderbirds’ four third-period bids, rejecting Emily Tilton’s shot from the right circle moments prior to the Mounties’ fourth and final goal, scored by senior captain Samantha Smith, with assists from Sleboda and senior captain Erin Rouleau.

The goal, and Rouleau's assist—her second Friday—punctuated a night-long celebration of Mount St. Charles’ outgoing class.

The Mounties will encounter the co-operative squad from Burrillville and Ponaganset, Friday, February 25 in Smithfield before advancing to the postseason. But, they are not scheduled to play another regular season game at Adelard Arena, whose walls were decked with posters and banners honoring Mount St. Charles’ six seniors Friday.

“You never forget your first class of captains,” said Shea, a first-year head coach who took the place of ex-bench boss Amy Maguire.

“It’s been a great season, so we’re hoping the best is ahead of us.”

The contributions of Kaitlyn McCann, Caitlin Bray, BriAnna Narodowy, Lauren Sandbach, Rouleau and Smith were acknowledged and saluted by parents, coaches, fans and players prior to the game, and to underscore the festive atmosphere, crepe paper and balloons matching the Mounties’ red, white and blue uniforms accentuated the railings.

“It’s why we play the game,” Shea said. “What they’re going to remember is Senior Night, more than the wins and losses.”

The seventh-place Thunderbirds will continue their pursuit of the sixth-place co-op squad from Warwick, which is in position to secure the last available playoff berth.

The two will meet Friday, February 25 at Warburton Ice Rink, after the Thunderbirds face-off with the co-operative unit from Barrington and Mt. Hope Saturday, February 19 in Cranston.

“We’re getting better every week,” Pagliarini said. “When we come to play, our kids are going to give 100 percent, and we’re going to work hard.”