Battle of D-1 South's Best Ends in Draw

A night that started with an emotional ceremony that honored the seniors of the East Greenwich High School soccer program ended in a hard-fought no-decision between the Avengers and South Kingstown Rebels at Nick Carcieri Stadium in EG. 

Senior Jennifer McKenzie followed up her rendition of the national anthem with a goal just four minutes into the game to give EG a quick 1-0 lead. Teammate Kaylee Sullivan’s initial shot was saved by Rebel goalie Kristina Dufficy, but McKenzie cut through the SK defense and buried the rebound.

The Avenger midfielders were able to control the tempo of the game, sticking with short and highly efficient passes. SK’s defense may have struggled possessing the ball for a majority of the night, but a strong back line led by Dufficy (nine saves) was able to hold EG to the one goal.

“It’s just one of those things, they get one or two chances and score on one of them, we have a bunch and hit some crossbars, control the game but just miss some opportunities.... ” said EG head coach Scott Douglas.  “The tie is not a bad thing, we’re still on top of our division, which is where we need to be.”

South Kingstown’s first big opportunity came on a breakaway by South standout Emily McClarnon. The junior was able to get past the EG stopper and come in alone on EG goalie Alexandra Place. Place made an aggressive play coming out of the goal and was able to cut off the angle on McClarnon and deflect the shot out of bounds.

“If we put more people up top they would have picked us a part, so we took some shots with Emily up there," said SK coach Jim Kelly.

The Rebel offensive opportunities were limited by EG’s ability to control the ball on their own half. McClarnon forced another corner with 8:12 remaining in the first half on a breakaway. This time the Rebels’ leading scorer volleyed the high arching corner into the net to tie the game. 

Each team hit the crossbar from over 30 yards out late in the second half, but neither was able to generate big-time scoring chances in the second half. 

“It’s a great group of girls, and it’s a pleasure to coach them,” Douglas said of his senior class.  “It’s unfortunate because they deserved a win, but we should host the quarterfinal game which will give these seniors one more game at home.”

EG moves to 11-1-3 and remains in first in the southern division. SK pushes their record to 8-1-5, good for second place.

GAME NOTES:

Dufficy finished with nine saves on ten shots on goal, Place stopped four of five Rebel shots on goal ... The Avengers won the corner kick battle, drawing four to SK’s lone chance, which was converted ... EG’s underclassmen honored each of the eleven Avenger seniors with a song, short speech, and flowers for their parents.