CCRI Wins Battle of Knights by Beating NECC 4-0!
10.13.21
Sebastian Coso
Warwick, R.I. – October 13, 2021: The CCRI Knights Men' s Soccer team welcomed the Blue Knights of Northern Essex Community College from Haverhill, MA to the CCRI Soccer Complex in Lincoln, RI Tuesday for a 3:30pm kick-off. The Knights defeated the Blue Knights 4-0. With the victory CCRI improves to 7-3 overall and 5-1 in Region XXI play and 5-0 in Division III Region XXI (their league).
The Knights debuted a new midfield look on Tuesday with Sam McCutcheon (Smithfield, RI) and Joe Dorce (Providence, RI) on the wings and Thiago Pereira (North Providence, RI) playing up top. Being versatile is important and Knights Head Coach Gabe Toro likes to play players all over the field to see where they could fill in if needed and if injuries become an issue during the season.
The Knights got into a good rhythm to start the game and in the 18th minute, the pressure from the CCRI offense created the first goal. After a service from the right side, Joe Dorce was able to touch the ball into the six yard box into a very dangerous area through tons of traffic and it resulted in an own goal by a Northern Essex player. Just before the end of the half, freshman Forward Sebastian Coso (Pawtucket, RI) took on the Northern Essex backline as he pushed the ball forward into space. Coso broke into the 18-yard box as he squared up the goalie. Coso took a final touch before striking the ball into the back of the net to make the score 2-0 CCRI. Coach Toro commented: “Sebastian was very calm as he broke into the open field, a breakaway type of situation, he was able to set it up just right to get the outcome.” The Knights went into halftime leading 2-0.
In the second half, CCRI came out with even more offense as Rico Foster (Cranston, RI) found co-captain Wilson Penafiel (Providence, RI) who was able to put the ball away giving the Knights the 3-0 lead. Soon after this third goal the versatility within the team was put to the test as CCRI goalkeeper Alex Johnson (West Warwick, RI) had to come off after a collision in the box. CCRI's usual back up was not at the game today so Coach Toro looked to his top secret reserve goalie. Toro mentioned: “We teach our student-athletes to always have a back-up plan for every situation, so we do the same as a coaching staff.” During pre-season Sam McCutcheon was identified by the coaches as having some talent in the net. Coach Toro needed him today and had to take him off the midfield position and place him in the net to replace Alex Johnson. Coach Toro added “Sam exemplified the word versatility today. He stepped up in a big way.” In fact, McCutcheon made one of the best saves of the year on a point blank shot that he was able to get his hand on as he dove through the air. McCutcheon also had amazing outlet passes with his arm to find wingers like Joustin Rivera (Providence, RI), Sam was able to hit him in stride and get the attack going quickly and effectively. Even more than his play was the energy he lifted the Knights with as he stepped up into a role in which he hadn’t performed in recently as a keeper. McCutcheon’s willingness to step up combined with his stellar play gave the Knights an extra boost as the entire Knights’ squad was energized by all six of “Saving” Sam McCutcheon’s impressive saves in his Knights Goalkeeping debut. At the 53rd minute, co-captain Pablo Puac (Pawtucket, RI) and Sebastian Coso combined near the top of the box opening up some lanes in the Northern Essex backline. Puac was able to hit Coso with a nicely weighted through ball that Coso secured as he made the run behind the line of NECC defenders. Sebastian slotted the ball passed the Northern Essex goalkeeper to make the score 4-0. This is the score with which the game ended. Overall, CCRI played well and everyone contributed to the win again today. Coach Toro mentioned; “It is good to have a deep bench and have players that can step in and continue the quality of play on the field.”
The Next scheduled game for the Knights will travel to Roxbury, MA to play the Tigers on Tuesday the 19th for a 7:00pm kick-off.
For all things CCRI Athletics, be sure to follow @CCRIAthletics on Instagram and Twitter!
The Community College of Rhode Island, New England’s largest comprehensive community college, enrolls nearly 10,000 students in credit courses and thousands more in non-credit and job training classes. Its athletic program boasts 12 varsity programs and an academic support program for all student-athletes.