The Cranston West girls soccer team tied East Greenwich 0-0 last week to keep pace with the rest of a loaded Division I. It was the team’s third shutout in four games as it is emerging as an elite defensive unit so far this fall.

Through four league games, the Falcons sat at 2-0-2 and allowed just one goal in that span. Between quality defense play and the luxury of having arguably the state’s best keeper in junior Oceanna Orlandi, the team is looking to make a run in the division and get back into the championship mix.

“It’s a nice group, we’re young. It’s just a really great group, there’s no drama and they’re all happy. They’re all just really supportive of each other and we have great leadership,” said coach Jeremy Sherer.

The Falcons and Avengers played an even first half, but West would pick up the pace and control much of the second half, outshooting EG. Although the Falcons could not find the back of the net, Sherer was pleased with their poise and control down the stretch.

“We’ve been working on getting more possessions and creating more opportunities. I think if you watched the game tonight, you’d see that we were in control for most of it. I thought we defended well and four games in we’ve only given up one goal and we’ve got eight points. You can’t be unhappy about it,” Sherer said.

Leading the team on offense to this point as been Stalia Biosse with three goals while Saniyya Chase and Jordan Costa also picked up scores. Orlandi, sure enough, has been dominant in net, saving 33 of 34 shots faced.

Division I will once again be a dogfight as the season wears on with teams like EG, La Salle, Pilgrim and North Kingstown still in the mix. Sherer is confident that his team will have a chance against any other club they face thanks to its stifling defense.

“You obviously have to take each game as they come, but the one goal we gave up was against Moses Brown and that was on grass, we struggle on grass because we are used to turf. You look at the other games, there is a lot of parody. Is this sustainable? Yes, I think it is,” said Sherer. “Never in my tenure have we had one, singular superstar. We’ve always had girls that work together, so I do believe this is sustainable.”