March 29, 2024

Girls Soccer: Warriors keep their heads up after playoff loss

Cardinal Spellman 4, Seekonk 2

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SEEKONK - Cardinal Spellman turned the tables on Seekonk Wednesday night in the girls soccer playoffs, applying constant pressure and finding the back of the net four times in a 4-2 victory.

“They did to us what we should have done to them,” Seekonk coach Fil Fontes said after the game. “We gave them too much space. We were too nervous. I know it’s the tournament and it’s win or go home, but we have to play it just like any other game. We were too conservative. Credit to Cardinal Spellman, they did what they had to do.”

The Cardinals scored a little over 12 minutes into the game to take a 1-0 lead when Madison Frye battled in front of the net and fired a shot into the top right corner of the net. Coach Fontes called a timeout right after the goal to settle the Warriors down.

That was the only score of the half with the Cardinals holding an advantage in shots and solid scoring opportunities. Seekonk goalie Maddison Julien made some nice saves to keep it a one-goal game.

Sophomore forward Lauren Couitt got the Seekonk crowd on its feet with the tying goal less than a minute into the second half, firing a shot from the left side and tracking down the rebound for a goal and a 1-1 score.

The Cardinals scored three more times in the second half before Seekonk senior captain Charlotte Drainville deposited the ball in the back of the net in the 70th minute. The Warriors had a few more chances as the clock wound down before the final whistle.

“Their front line is very fast and I knew they would create some problems for us,” Cardinal Spellman coach Mike Reed said. “We got a few breaks and took advantage of it.”

REPORTERTODAY.COM MVP: Drainville scored in her final game, and although the midfielder didn’t win every ball in her area, she battled hard for each one and left it all on the field.

SPECIAL SENIORS: Wednesday’s loss was the final game for seniors Drainville, Madison Meyer, Meredith Riordan, captain Page Fecteau, Mia DiBiase and captain Allison Houle. “They’re an awesome group,” Fontes said. “I don’t like to pick favorites, but they were one of my favorite groups to work with. They worked hard all season long, and as long as they can look in the mirror and say ‘I gave all I could’ I’m happy.”

GOOD DAYS AHEAD: The Warriors will return seven starters next season including Julien in goal, all three forwards (Couitt, freshman Morgan Silvestre and sophomore Emily Chin), defender Ella Gardner (freshman), and midfielders Jazlyn Monteiro (sophomore) and Madison Costa (junior). Coach Fontes credited the youth leagues in town with having a positive impact on the field. “The town league coaches are putting a lot of work and effort into teaching them younger and getting rid of bad traits when they’re younger,” he said. “They’re putting serious work in at the grassroots level and that’s making a difference at the high school level.”

OUTSTANDING SUPPORT: A large crowd came to the game on Connolly Field to cheer on the Warriors under the lights, and the supportive crowd wasn’t lost on the players and coaches on the sideline. “We’ve always had good support from parents. This is such a great community to be a park of,” Fontes said. “The administration’s been great. Everyone makes it really easy to coach here.”

QUICK HITS: Wednesday’s game was only the second time this season the Warriors were playing on Connolly Field. They usually play their home games at Cole Street. … Marina Duffy, Kylie Flynn and Taylor Nicholson also scored for the Cardinals. … Fontes said he had only one qualm with his seniors, and that’s because DiBiase didn’t come out for the team until her junior year. “She was great. The only thing I’m upset about is that she didn’t come out her freshman year,” he said with a smile. … The No. 13 Cardinals (10-7-2) will face No. 5 East Bridgewater (12-4) in the Div. 3 South Quarterfinals on Saturday. … When the Warriors got together and put their hands in after the game for one last time, they chanted “Together on three. One, Two, Three, Together!” … There are no South Coast Conference teams remaining in the Div. 3 South tournament after Seekonk’s loss and Dighton-Rehoboth’s 3-2 Quarterfinal loss to No. 2 Dover-Sherborn on penalty kicks in Wednesday’s game. The Falcons trailed 2-0 with 15 minutes left but tied the game and played two scoreless overtimes before falling on PKs. Undefeated Old Rochester and Somerset Berkley are still alive in the Div. 2 tournament. … The Reporter would like to officially apologize to coach Fontes and the Warriors for bringing the team bad luck this season. The Reporter covered the team three times this year and they lost all three games. … Seekonk finishes the season 15-6.

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