East comes up just short against Mount

By Matt Metcalf
Posted 4/19/17

Cranston East pulled within one with 1:54 left on a goal by sophomore attack Ethan Mulholland on Monday afternoon, but it couldn't find the equalizer in the waning ticks, as the 'Bolts came up just short against undefeated

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East comes up just short against Mount

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Cranston East pulled within one with 1:54 left on a goal by sophomore attack Ethan Mulholland on Monday afternoon, but it couldn’t find the equalizer in the waning ticks, as the ’Bolts came up just short against undefeated Mount St. Charles, 6-5, at Cranston Stadium.

The ’Bolts produced more scoring chances and earned more possession time throughout the game, but misses just wide and some key saves by Mounties’ goalkeeper Sam Kozimor helped the road team remain unbeaten.

But, even in defeat, East had to be encouraged by its effort after posting just one win last spring.

“We’re improving,” East head coach Jim Creamer said. “We’re on the bubble of making a step. A lot of these guys have made steps over the last couple of years, so we’re right on that line. This was a good one, we were competitive and we absolutely had our chances to win.”

Mount took a slim, 5-4 edge into halftime, with sophomore attack Tyler Bourque ripping a shot top right just one minute, nine seconds before the break to push the Mounties ahead by one.

A pair of goals by Mulholland and one each from Carlos Montt and Jamison Cannata over the first two quarters helped East keep pace over the first 24 minutes.

East had its chances in the third quarter with a pair of power plays in the first three minutes, but it couldn’t capitalize on its opportunities.

It looked as though East would tie the game near the midway point of the third frame, when Henry Torres controlled the ball behind Mount’s goal and fired a pass in front to an unmarked Brennan Haid, but Kozimor was up to the task, denying Haid point blank to keep his team in front.

Three minutes later, the opportunistic Mounties upped their lead on a similar play, as Bourque dished in front to freshman midfielder Jake MacKinnon for a goal, giving Mount a 6-4 lead.

Goals were hard to come by in the fourth quarter, as well, with both teams posting stellar defensive efforts.

“We’re very strong defensively,” Creamer said. “We have some big boys back there who work hard and they’re aggressive.”

Mulholland produced the only tally over the final 12 minutes, when he completed his hat trick after sprinting down the left side and beating Kozimor to trim the deficit to 6-5.

East pressed in the final two minutes in an attempt to force overtime, but couldn’t get a clean look at the net, with Mount clogging the middle of the field.

Ultimately, missed chances over the first three quarters hurt East down the stretch.

“We’ve been working on kids being able to shoot the ball,” Creamer said. “A lot of simple things with passing and shooting are hurting us right now. When we do them well, it’s good for us. When we don’t do them well, we have some difficulty. We have a couple guys offensively that can handle the ball, but we have to be a little more consistent.”

The ’Bolts are now 1-3 in the Division III standings, and were set to host winless North Smithfield at Cranston Stadium on Wednesday, but results were unavailable at press time.

East will then go on the road for its next two contests, as it will travel to Chariho on Friday evening and Lincoln on Monday night. The start time for both of those games will be 6 p.m.

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