Archive - Nov 2010 - Sports Article
November 5th
CUMBERLAND --- It’s been seven years since Cumberland High last captured a playoff game, but on Thursday night, the Clippers ended that drought in a big way in its Division II preliminary-round match with Warwick Vets High.
Michaela Leblanc and Michelle Malboeuf had solid games at the net and Robyn Andrade and Jessica Larivee keyed a strong showing from the service line for the Clippers in their easy 3-0 triumph at the Clippers' Wellness Center.
While the fates of politicians were decided on Election Day, the fates of five playoff-hopeful Blackstone Valley clubs could be determined as early as this weekend or as late as Thanksgiving morning.
When October ended, so did much of the drama in the Division II-B playoff race. Last weekend’s play saw the top three seeds etched in stone in Tolman (6-0), Woonsocket (5-1), and St. Raphael (4-2) and the final spot still up for grabs between Mount Hope and Toll Gate.
November 2nd
WOONSOCKET -- Last year’s Division II Super Bowl championship season is a distant memory for players on the 2010 Woonsocket High squad.
“That’s gone,” head coach Carnell Henderson admitted on Tuesday night. “We were a senior-heavy team last year. The kids on this year’s team feel like they were recipients of a championship last year. They want to win one for themselves.”
The Villa Novans are 5-1 with one game left in the regular season. That one loss came against unbeaten Tolman by a 6-0 score back in mid-September.
Based on their records and how they’ve played against their league opponents, the Division I semifinals should include top-seed Barrington and No. 2 Shea from Division I-East and third-seeded Bishop Hendricken and No. 4 seed La Salle from Div. I-South.
Familiar area rivals like Cumberland, Lincoln, Smithfield and recently Mount St. Charles have consistently sent teams to the state championships and in some cases have done well.
Back in 2004, Cumberland shocked pre-race favorite Bishop Hendricken for the boys’ state crown. Last year, Mount St. Charles made big strides in its program by placing seventh among the 18th schools. In 2005, the Cumberland girls qualified for the New England Championship by finishing sixth, a point ahead of Lincoln.
November 1st
WOONSOCKET — For Lincoln High, Monday’s task was as straightforward as you’ll get. A win against Woonsocket High meant the Lions would clinch no worse than a share of the Division II-North crown.
Mission accomplished as Lincoln, buoyed by two goals from Jillian DeSimone, took care of business with a 4-0 win over Woonsocket at Barry Field. The Lions finish the regular season 12-1-5. The Villa Novans completed their first – and possibly last – in Division II with a 1-17 mark.
Ponaganset football coach Brian Gendreau has developed a good perspective on two of the toughest teams in Division II this season – unbeaten Tolman and once-beaten Woonsocket. His Chieftains have lost to both Super Bowl contenders.
“Tolman is the fastest team in the league,” Gendreau admitted on Sunday, “but I would say Woonsocket is more balanced. They can run and throw the ball. You can see why they played a 6-0 game earlier this season. Both teams have great defenses.”
