SPLIT DECISION

REGION—It was a case of “good news/bad news” for the CSP United U10 Girls soccer team this past week. On Saturday, they played their first game on their indoor/winter schedule and dropped a 1-0 verdict to Pawtucket at Wide World of Indoor Sports in North Smithfield. The next day, the team traveled to Rockland, MA to take on the Select SS squad of Hingham (MA) and got back on track with a convincing victory in MAPLE League play.

The win improved their outdoor record to 7-0-1 (7-1-1 overall) and can finish the fall schedule undefeated when they face Duxbury United (MA) this Sunday.

Mackenzie Lavallee led the scoring for the locals with a natural hat trick in the first half. Her first goal came from a nice pass from Ava Normandin from the left wing. Lavallee’s second goal came minutes later off a feed from Halle Delmore. Lavallee finished the hat trick with a nice shot past the Hingham goalkeeper from Madelyn Dion.

That would be more than enough offense from CSP United to earn the win. The defense, once again anchored by Mya Miller, Elizabeth Luca, and Stasia Todd proved to be too much for the Hingham offense; goalkeeper Kaitlyn Berger did not face a shot on goal for the entire contest.

Hingham tried stemming the tide by changing goalkeepers, but the results were the same. Alexandra Guerra notched a goal with a shot from inside the offensive box. Shortly after Normandin was able to dribble the ball down the middle and breaking away from the defenders and scoring. Katie Jakubiak finished the scoring just before the final whistle with a blast from outside the box.
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CSP United had many chances to assert themselves against Pawtucket in the team’s indoor soccer league opener, but was unable to cash in on their chances. When Pawtucket had its turn, they cashed in.

Midway through the first half, the Pawtucket offense took a shot which Berger saved. The rebound went back to Pawtucket who then hit the post. The ball squirted along the goal line where Pawtucket tapped it in before either Berger or the CSP defense could recover.

CSP United pressed on after the goal, but could not find the back of the net. The Pawtucket net minder made a few nice saves off shots from Delmore, Maggie Ray and Mary “Spider” Daley. Even when the Pawtucket keeper was not able to get to the ball, she did have a little help.

Rachael Grieve hit the post on a shot that was initially saved by the Pawtucket keeper. Sienna Morris just missed a chance when the pass to her sailed wide. Lavallee had a good chance from in close, but her shot went over the crossbar.