By ALEX SPONSELLER The Cranston West girls soccer team dropped a 2-1 heartbreaker in the Division I Quarterfinals on Saturday, falling in penalty kicks to visiting North Kingstown. The Skippers would get an early goal on a penalty kick to take the 1-0
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By ALEX SPONSELLER The Cranston West girls soccer team dropped a 2-1 heartbreaker in the Division I Quarterfinals on Saturday, falling in penalty kicks to visiting North Kingstown.
The Skippers would get an early goal on a penalty kick to take the 1-0 lead. West would eventually get the game-tying goal on a penalty kick of its own in the second half from Karol Matamoros to send the game to overtime.
After a scoreless overtime period, the two teams went to penalty kicks and the Skippers would hold the Falcons scoreless and eventually put away the game winner.
Despite the loss, West coach Jeremy Sherer was proud of his team’s performance against NK and throughout the regular season. West finished with a 10-3-3 league record which was good for the fourth seed in the playoffs.
“I was thrilled with the season overall. We had a large group of returning seniors, most of which are going on to play college soccer which is quite unusual. We had a good junior class, a freshman goalkeeper. We finished with our best record and nine shutouts, so we were competitive in every game that we were in. We were excited to be able to host a quarterfinal game, although we are all heartbroken with (the result),” said Sherer.
Sherer felt that the team was sluggish in the early going after falling behind, but rebounded well down the stretch.
“NK scored on a penalty kick early and we didn’t react very well to it. In postseason play, it’s all about your mental and emotional state. For about 20 minutes after that, we were just frenetic,” Sherer said. “When looking at the second half of the first half, and then the entire second half, we dominated. We had many opportunities, but we just couldn’t finish.”
The Falcons will have a new look next season as they are set to graduate nine seniors, including captains Maddie Barbieri, Angela Marses, Maddie Alves and Karol Matamoros.
“We had a great year in our play and the atmosphere. There was no drama, it was a very cohesive group. (The seniors) are leaving a legacy of tremendous work ethic and leadership. They elevated the program with their play and have created an opportunity for others to step up and fill that,” said Sherer.
Speaking of which, Sherer believes that the tough loss will pay dividends for the returning players next year that will be called on to fill those roles.
“Watching us play all season and then watching us play in the NK game, there is no doubt that it is a mental game. It becomes a game of composure, and I think the returning kids will absolutely benefit from playing on that stage,” said Sherer. “They now have that experience and know what to expect.”
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