Mount, Northmen pick up D-II wins
CRANSTON — Mount St. Charles junior forward Tom Burke produced a hat trick in 47 minutes to lead the Mounties to their first Division II win of the season, a 4-2 conquest of Cranston West Thursday afternoon at the Chafee Complex.
“I’m very happy with the way everyone played today,” Mount St. Charles coach Paul Jacques said. “Huge contribution from Nick Platek in his first varsity start in net and Tom Burke was great up front. The difference for us was our ball control was better today than it’s been. We kept possession of the ball strung passes together instead of turning it over.
Mount St. Charles (1-7-1 Division II) never trailed, as Burke opened the scoring in the 20th minute thanks to an assist from senior Martin Piette. Max Inocencio tied the game in the 35th minute on a penalty kick, but Burke restored the one-goal advantage two minutes later.
Burke and Nate Leclaire scored second-half goals to secure the road victory. Platek, who normally starts in the midfield but had to play in net because starter Jacob Maddalena is injured, made 15 saves.
The Mounties are back in action tonight against undefeated St. Raphael in a nonleague contest. Their next league game is Tuesday night at first-place North Smithfield.
NORTHMEN ROLL
NORTH SMITHFIELD — After wasting a number of scoring chances in the first half, the first-place North Smithfield boys soccer team exploded for four goals in a 24-minute period of the second half to down visiting Narragansett 5-2 in a Division II contest Thursday night.
Riley Crozier led the way with two goals and an assist, while Bryan Decelles and Michael deRonde each had a goal and an assist for the Northmen, who next face Mount St. Charles Tuesday night.
“It’s always a battle,” North Smithfield coach Eric Korytkowski said of facing Mount.” Except for my first year when they blew us out, every game against them has been close. [Mount coach Paul Jacques] know our kids well, so we know it’s going to be a challenge. If we can play the way we know how, we should be in good shape.”
North Smithfield (8-1 Division II) reclaimed first place in the division after Burrillville stunned first-place Cranston East, 2-1, behind a pair of goals from Nick Hammond. For the Northmen, deRonde opened the scoring in the eighth minute on an assist from Crozier.
Narragansett tied the game in the 50th on a free kick by Caden Kilroy, but Crozier scored four minutes later to restore the advantage. Crozier scored again in the 60th, but Kilroy netted a penalty kick in the 65th minute. Fernandes and Bryan Decelles scored in the final five minutes to secure the win.