The Pilgrim boys soccer team is looking to get back on track as it is in the midst of a three-game losing streak. With three matches to go in the regular season, the Pats will likely have to win multiple to earn a Division II playoff berth.
Pilgrim was most recently in action on Tuesday when it fell to visiting North Providence 3-1. Haiden Riess scored the team’s lone goal while keeper Chris Williams finished with 11 saves in net.
Pilgrim was shut out its previous three matches, losing two of those three while the other was a 0-0 draw to Cranston East. Injuries and some plain old bad luck have slowed down the Patriot offense as of late.
“We’ve had a tough go, we’ve been snake bitten at times. Hitting crossbars, hitting posts, making mistakes at dangerous times that cost us a goal. It’s been difficult, but they’re playing tremendously hard and I’m happy with the effort they’re putting forth,” said coach Tom Flanders, who has also been shuffling the lineup after losing Caden Stowik and David Ferrante to injury. “We’re using kids in new positions. It’s adding something new to the recipe and we’re trying to find that perfect starting lineup. It seems like we’ve been penalized anytime we’ve made a mistake, whether it is by allowing a goal or a scoring opportunity, so we need to limit that. We need to play simple and that’ll instill confidence the rest of the way.”
Riess has enjoyed a stellar senior year as the team’s captain and striker. He leads the team with 15 goals and Flanders has been proud of his leadership these past few weeks.
“Haiden is a guy that is a gentleman out there, but he’s an assassin out there when he’s around the goal. He plays within himself which makes me love watching him,” said Flanders.
With matches against St. Ray’s, Toll Gate and Mt. Hope on deck to close out the regular season, Flanders hopes the team can find a spark and use that momentum should it reach the postseason.
“It adds excitement to it and if we do survive and make the playoffs, the kids will have already had that experience. They’re already in that (must-win) situation,” said Flanders. “The pressure is on already, so I think that’ll work to our advantage if we do make it to the playoffs.”