The Bishop Hendricken soccer team won its first state championship since 1998 last Sunday at Rhode Island College when it took down rival La Salle Academy in a shootout.
The top-seeded Hawks were closing in on the title, holding a 2-0 lead with less than two minutes remaining in regulation. The Rams put together an epic comeback, though, as they scored with 1:36 left and then netted the tying goal with 9 seconds to go to force overtime.
After two scoreless overtime periods, the game went to penalty kicks. Sure enough, the teams were tied with three goals each heading into the final kick. Hendricken’s Rylan Barbato would stamp his place in school history as he converted on a low shot on the right-hand side, securing the title for the Hawks.
“The game was not over, it was tied up, we’re still playing to win. We had to keep our heads up and overcome almost the impossible,” said Barbato of the team’s mindset after letting up the lead in the final two minutes.
The Hendricken offense stole the show in the playoffs, scoring four goals against Barrington in the quarters, six goals against Cumberland in the semis, then putting up two goals in the first half against the Rams.
Keeper Michael Carreiro also etched his name in Hendricken lore in the finals, as he staved off a heavy La Salle barrage in the first 78 minutes, then came up with a pair of diving stops in the shootout.
“I look for signs and I saw some of them. I knew I just had to dive to (the correct) side and it worked,” said Carreiro, who said the Hawks never lost their confidence in the battle. “Up until the last two minutes we were the better team, but they fought back. We were the better team for 78 minutes.”
Hendricken got on the board in the first half on goals from the usual suspects in Cranston residents Brent Karpowich and Jack Mefford, who were the team’s leading scorers on offense. Barbato flew under the radar for much of the season and was placed fifth in the order for the shootout.
“I tried to keep as much composure as possible,” said Barbato, who tipped his cap to Carreiro and the Hawks before him. “Mike put on a great show, I’m proud of him. It’s amazing, to honor everyone that has lost in the past. It’s phenomenal to honor and remember everyone that has played for us.”
The Hawks were also excited to help longtime coach Mickey Rooney back to championship glory.
“He’s there all the time, he’s always talking, always joking around. To be able to win it for him is amazing,” said Carreiro.
Barbato added: “He’s a phenomenal coach, he really coached this team up well. He brought up this group of seniors to win a championship.”