RECAP: RHODE ISLAND ROGUES BECOME EAST REGION CHAMPIONS

Written By:  Tyler Lewin | WPSL Correspondent

Photo By:  Matthew Levine

The Rhode Island Rogues and Clarkstown Soccer Club contended for the WPSL East Region Title on Sunday night with the winner advancing to the WPSL Championship series.  Played over two days, the tournament features the winner from each region and is held the weekend of July 22^nd-23^rd in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

The first half would not see either side generate many attacking opportunities.  Both teams attempted to dissect each other tactically while resulting in a battle for possession.  With a couple half chances throughout the first 45, Clarkstown was the more dominant of the two by a slim margin. 

The best chance of the half for Clarkstown came in the 32^nd minute when Kelly Brady (Ole Miss) received a lifted through-ball and found herself one on one with the Rogues goalkeeper.  Beating Jessica Kasacek (University of Maine) in a footrace, Brady’s shot was blocked off the line by Taylor Chianese (University of Massachusetts- Lowell) and out for a corner.

Photo By:  Matthew Levine

Brady opened up the second half quickly, lasering a shot just wide of the post from roughly 22 yards out in the 46^th minute.  Katelyn Vieira (University of Massachusetts- Lowell) broke the deadlock by scoring in the 56^th minute to put the Rogues up 1-0.  Stripping the ball off the feet of a Clarkstown defender at midfield, Vieira sprinted towards the goal. As Kayla Bower (St. John’s University) charged off her line, Vieira rolled the ball to the bottom left corner.

In the 64^th minute, Brady found herself with possession inside the box once again.  Cutting to the right from the left, Brady fired a shot to the bottom right corner that was met with a strong hand by the diving Kasacek.

Clarkstown continued to push for an equalizer, however, the Rogues’ backline continued to defend,  Brady would find the equalizer in the late stages of the match.  As the ball was crossed in by Waverly Myers (Wesleyan University) from the right wing it was met by the head of Brady at the back post and would find the back of the net in the 91^st minute - tying the game. 

However, the stoppage time action was not done yet as the Rogues would score in the 93^rd minute, three minutes into stoppage time.  Jordan Restivo (Johnson and Wales University) took a corner kick from the left wing and her swinging kick fell to the feet of Rebecca Lancaster (Louisiana Tech), whose initial volley was blocked.  The rebound flew into the air, allowing Lancaster time to catch her footing and rise over the Clarkstown defender for the header that found the back of the net.

Photo By:  Matthew Levine

With the 2-1 win over Clarkstown Soccer Club, the Rhode Island Rogues advance to the WPSL Championship weekend.  Taking nearly a week off before the next game the Rogues will face WPSL South Region Champions, Charlotte Eagles, on Saturday, July 22^nd at 8:30 am CDT.