Soccer Stays Undefeated With Late Goal

NARRAGANSETT – After a long, frustrating scoring draught, the Mariners used a goal from junior Carla Porras in the 69^th minute to win 3-2 and to stay undefeated in Division III play.

At first, it looked like Narragansett (15-0 Division III) was going to rout another highly-ranked team, like their 7-2 win against Middletown last week.

The Mariners jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first seven minutes, on goals by Porras and freshman Chelsea Sahagian. Senior Jackie Iannucci assisted on Sahagian’s goal.

However, the Saints (12-2-1) didn’t give up after the initial push by the Mariners, who suddenly couldn’t find the back of the net. Sahagian missed twice from short range, and Porras couldn’t head in a pass from Iannucci.

Narragansett head coach Kathryn Mahoney said she thought the intensity level of her team dropped a bit as the game went on, until after the second Saints’ goal.

“I’m very happy we walked away from that one with a win,” she said. “I think we got a bit complacent. Especially against St. Ray’s, you can’t be secure with a two goal lead.”

Senior Kytresa Ivey-Jones, the daughter of former University of Rhode Island basketball player Kyle Ivey-Jones, scored goals in the 48^th and 58^th minute to knot the score at 2-2.

“The whole momentum shifted,” Mahoney said. “They hang around, and with the two players [Kytresa and sister Kyanna Ivey-Jones] they have, they can be dangerous in one-on-one play.”

What followed was the tensest 11 minutes of the Mariners’ season, as Narragansett got multiple open looks at the net. Porras finally gave Narragansett their third goal with a run down the left side of the field, pushing a shot on the ground past Saints’ goalie Caitlin Dunne.

“I don’t even remember the goal,” Porras said following the game, laughing a bit. “No matter what, we were tied 2-2, and I needed it to go in.”

“Carla has that ability to finish better than any other player,” Mahoney said. “She knows how to finish and to stay composed.”

Mahoney said that during the Mariners’ dry spell, she kept telling them to maintain their runs and their intensity.

“I was trying to encourage them that even though the shots weren’t going in, to keep making runs,” she said.

Porras said the team had a lofty goal this year – to win another state championship.

“I’m excited about it, to win another state championship,” she said.

The Mariners have one regular season game left, hosting Burrillville at 4 p.m. Wednesday. It is Narragansett’s fifth straight game against a team with a winning record, as the Broncos are 14-1. Their lone loss came early in the season against Middletown.

“We’re just looking to finish the season out strong,” Mahoney said. “I think it definitely helps playing every team … But in the playoffs, you never want to go in overconfident.”