Orozco, Cante lead Patriots past young Villa Novans
Davies duo combines for five points in win
WOONSOCKET— For the second time in as many meetings, the Davies Tech boys soccer team handled Woonsocket, 4-1, Monday afternoon at Barry Field.
Of course, a lot has changed since the last time the teams met. The Patriots defeated the Villa Novans in the 2015 Division III final and went on to defend their title last season against Valley rival Burrillville, while the Villa Novans endured a forgettable campaign in Division II last season.
Wheeler joined the Interscholastic League this season and chose to jump all the way to Division II, which allowed the Villa Novans to move back down to Division III, but the squad was still no match for All-State winger Jose Orozco and the Patriots. Orozco had three assists and Central Falls resident Marlon Cante added a pair of goals in Monday’s victory.
“We need to keep playing like we did today,” Davies coach Victor Oliveira said. “My kids have to be more committed and they can’t aggravate their coach right away like they did today when we had a kid wear a necklace on the field and I get a yellow card. We already have six yellow cards.
“We’re clearly one of the best teams in Division III, but they have to be more alert and more committed. Overall, we played a good game today.”
Woonsocket (1-2-1 Division III) has already matched last season’s win total thanks to a 6-4 win over North Providence to start the season. The Villa Novans know this week will be their most difficult stretch of the season with a trip to Cranston East on the docket for Wednesday and a visit from Burrillville on Friday.
Monday, the Villa Novans received a consolation goal from sophomore Jason Corrales in the 71st minute. Junior goalie Juan Ceron made eight saves.
“We’ve played a couple of good teams and Davies is obviously going to the playoffs and top of the group,” Woonsocket coach Andrew Rao said. “We still have a lot of young guys and just four seniors who are running the game for us. We probably need more players and we’re developing the young kids for next year.”
Davies (3-2 Division III) started the campaign with back-to-back losses to Ponaganset and Pilgrim, but Oliveira said he wasn’t con- cerned by the slow start because last season’s team struggled in September before ending the year hoisting the trophy at Rhode Island College.
Orozco has found the scoring touch in the last two games. The Pawtucket resident scored seven goals and dished out three assists in last week’s win over Paul Cuffee before setting up three goals Monday.
Oliveira isn’t concerned about his offense, but he is still searching for the right defensive combination in front of junior goalie Johnathan Soares (nine saves). Seniors Joseph Muriel and Chris Ayala are anchoring the defense, while the return of midfielder Brayan Chavez from injury in October will make the team even better.
“I think we’re still up there because we are the champs,” Oliveira said. “We always have a hard time to start the season because my kids think they know it all. They know the game and they watch a lot of soccer. They think they just go out in play, but they need to realize there’s more aspects to soccer than that.”
Woonsocket had the first good chance Monday on a Carlos Ponce blast from the top of the penalty box, but the visitors opened the scoring in the 24th minute when junior Dakota McCaugher’s cross from the left side was redirected into the net by Michael Justiniano.
The Patriots took advantage of some miscommunication by the Villa Novans to double the lead in the 37th minute, as Orozco’s cross was allowed to reach the far post, where Conte slotted the ball into the net.
“The defender on the back side of the play told the goalie to get the ball and you can’t do that. The goalie has to want to get the ball,” Rao said. “We need to clear the ball off the line.”
Orozco created goals for senior Cesar Franco in the 54th minute and Cante in the 80th minute, while Corrales corralled a rebound and scored the Villa Novans’ lone goal in the 71st minute.