Broncos unhappy with road point
Gosselin nets second-minute goal to secure draw in Cranston
CRANSTON — Prior to the season, if the Burrillville boys soccer team was told it would secure a 1-1 draw on the road against talented Cranston West, the Division II newcomers would’ve been ecstatic.
But, when the Broncos walked off the Chafee Com- plex field Tuesday afternoon following a 1-1 draw with the determined Falcons, there was a feeling that the Broncos weren’t completely satisfied with their performance.
That’s how far Burrillville has come in its first month competing in Division II after a number of successful seasons in Division III.
“The chances are there and we have to put them away, so the boys are upset – that’s a good thing,” Burrillville first-year coach Mark Gilchrist said. “We still got a point and [Cranston West] loses two points at home. That’s how I look at it because we still have a game in hand on them. We’re moving up there to where we want to be.”
Burrillville (4-1-2 Division II) began the season with the goal of simply making the playoffs after losing in the Division III quarterfinals to reigning Division III champion – and current leader of Division II – Cranston East. But after wins over Wheeler, West Warwick, Mount St. Charles and Narragansett, the Broncos have adjusted their goals.
With numerous tough tests still to come – notably the Thunderbolts tomorrow afternoon at Cranston Stadium – the Broncos are aiming to finish in the top four and earn a quarterfinal home game. Currently, Cranston East has 22 points, followed by North Smithfield (21 points), Lincoln (19 points) and Wheeler (18 points) are sitting in the top four. Burrillville sits in sixth with 14 points.
“We’re looking to finish in the top four so we can play at home in that first round,” Gilchrist said. “If you win that game, you go to the semifinals. That’s what we’re shooting for. The big thing for us going forward is we have to play as a team and continue to work on our chemistry. We need to keep communicating because that’s what led to their goal today.”
Cranston West (3-1-3 Division II) received strong efforts from goalie Garrett Doidge – especially in the opening 15 minutes – and forwards Aaron Ly and Mike Martinelli.
The visitors took advantage of a free kick just outside the box two minutes into the contest to open the scoring. Midfielder Paulo Mello laid the ball off to senior defender Nick Gosselin, who attempted to take a shot on net. The ball deflected off of a Falcon defender and went past a helpless Doidge.
Burrillville had a couple of great oppor- tunities to double its lead over the next 10 minutes, but the Broncos failed to score and they were made to pay at the 18-minute mark. Cranston West played a short corner kick and the Broncos weren’t prepared, which led to a shot past Brady Tupper for the tying goal.
“It was a mental mistake by the defense because they had a two-v-one on a corner kick and we only had one player there,” Gilchrist said. “It happens all the time where we score and then give up a goal. We want to pressure all the time and control the ball. We work these kids hard because we want them focused.”