SPORTS

Pats rolling in Division I race

Championship-hopeful Pilgrim jumps out to strong start

By ALEX SPONSELLER
Posted 10/5/22

The Pilgrim girls soccer team entered the fall season with championship aspirations in Division I, and to this point, has cemented its place among the state’s best with a 3-0-1 league …

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SPORTS

Pats rolling in Division I race

Championship-hopeful Pilgrim jumps out to strong start

Posted

The Pilgrim girls soccer team entered the fall season with championship aspirations in Division I, and to this point, has cemented its place among the state’s best with a 3-0-1 league record.

The Pats have already collected a few key wins, including a 3-1 decision over powerhouse La Salle in the season opener. Pilgrim also shut out both South Kingstown and East Greenwich, while battling Cranston West to a draw.

Amaya Coffie has led the team on offense with a club-high nine goals and 24 points overall. Gillian Brown has also chipped in six goals to go along with eight assists. Lorelai Leddy has contributed 12 points.

“It’s all about who wants it the most. We knew from the get-go that we were losing a lot of players and I think that we have all stepped up in filling the shoes that left,” said Brown. “Playing together for a while has definitely helped our chemistry. I think that this is the best that we have ever played together.”

Coffie has been excited to step up as a team leader this fall as well, and her performance has improved in the process.

“In previous years, we would rely on the other key players to do most of the work. This year we have been working on a lot of combinations up top which has made it easier,” said Coffie.

Another key piece for the Pats has been junior keeper Jenna Madden, who is taking over in net for Janelle Mixner, who started all four years before graduating last spring.

Madden has recorded three shutouts to date and has made 45 saves in net.

“She’s been doing great especially considering she’s a junior. She has been adjusting to being a starting goalie,” said Coffie.

Pilgrim is about to enter its busiest part of the schedule, playing four games in the next seven games. Coach Tom Flanders believes that remaining healthy and continuing to build chemistry will be the most important factors in determining how far this team will go.

“We’re a work in progress. The girls are still getting to know each other; it was a challenge having so many girls that graduated. The key is going to be to stay healthy throughout the season. You’re going to get your nicks, you’re going to get your bruises. You need to be able to get everybody rest while keeping everybody on the same page and working together,” said Flanders.

Pilgrim is next slated to face Barrington on the road for a non-league matchup on Thursday. Brown looks forward to showing the state that Pilgrim will once again be a contender down the stretch.

“We have definitely gotten off to a strong start. I would say our biggest accomplishment was beating La Salle in the opener. That was a really big competition for us I think we have now proven that we are here to compete in Division I,” Brown said. “We obviously have some things to work on, but I think we are a true threat to other teams.”

Pilgrim, soccer

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