Sports Roundup: Soccer Ties in Opener; Indoor Track, Girls’ Hockey Coming Soon

Despite a somewhat askew lineup thanks to a lack of practice time, the Narragansett Mariners boys’ soccer team managed a 2-2 tie with the Toll Gate in its season and home opener Thursday afternoon.

Head coach Ryan Kanaczet said it was a strong start, all things considered. Assistant coach Adam Reis estimated that they had only managed to practice about six times as a team, because of the hurricane.

“This is our 10^th day, and we’re already into games,” Kanaczet said. “We haven’t worked out the kinks in practice yet.”

The Mariners scored twice thanks to a strong counterattack, taking the lead both times.

In the 17^th minute, junior Tod Wright hit a through ball to junior Sajad Hosseini, who finished for the goal. However, Toll Gate’s Josh Sandin answered less than two minutes later, scoring an unassisted goal after dribbling away from a pair of defenders.

Narragansett retook the lead in the second half, in the 48^th minute. A corner from senior Aaron Libman ended up on the foot of Hosseini, who put the shot on goal. Junior Corbin Maynard nudged it in, and Hosseini got the assist on the play.

Kanaczet said he liked what he saw from the combination of Wright and Hosseini. He noted that he changed their positioning a bit during the game, and he was happy with the result – a goal and two assists from the duo.

However, the Titans again answered the Narragansett goal, this time about six minutes later. Nathan Sandin dribbled past the defense and launched a shot past Narragansett goalkeeper and junior Zachary McKanna. A save attempt by a Mariners’ defender resulted in an own-goal.

Although McKanna allowed two goals, his work kept Narragansett in the game in the first play. With several sprawling and diving saves, he saved the Mariners several times, and finished with 13 saves.

“McKanna played a real strong game,” Kanaczet said.

His goal kicks also led to both of the Mariners’ goals, which came as Toll Gate’s midfielders and forwards couldn’t recover after attacks.

“[Toll Gate’s] weakness was defense, but they’re so strong on offense,” Kanaczet said, noting that it was difficult for his team to gain possession.

The Mariners next play 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7 at Westerly. The Bulldogs eliminated the Mariners from the playoffs last year.

*****

Indoor Track, Girls’ Hockey Added to Winter Sports Lineup

Following an athlete assembly held at the high school last week, Narragansett Athletic Director Richard Adham confirmed that two new sports would be added to the school’s lineup.

• Girls’ hockey would exist as a co-op team with North Kingstown and South Kingstown. The final hurdle was cleared last week when the North Kingstown School Committee . Last year, Narragansett’s Dolci Wagner and Diana Bennett played on the boys’ varsity team.
• Indoor girls’ and boys’ track would exist as individual teams, assuming there are enough competitors for both.

Adham said both teams were looking for coaches as of last Wednesday. For more information, check out the postings on SchoolSpring.