By ALEX SPONSELLER The Alves name is one of the most recognizable in Rhode Island sports, and is now getting a nod on the national stage. 

Cranston West kicker and rising junior Maddie Alves was recently featured on SportsCenter’s Top-10 plays, hitting a field goal from 50 yards out in training. The video was submitted to ESPN through a family connection, and the station was quick to pick it up.

“My dad actually knows a worker at ESPN and had it on Twitter so he let them know, less than 24 hours later it was up, it was crazy. My dad had told me, but I was not sure that it would get any looks or attention, I was not really expecting anything, so to see it up there and especially to see it up so fast was a big surprise for me,” said Alves, who has always been a regular viewer of ESPN. “It was insane, I was at work at the time so I didn’t get to see it live but I got a few phone calls from family. I was in complete shock, I had no words. I grew up watching ESPN and the NFL so to see myself on national television was crazy.”

Although hitting a field goal from 50 yards out was a fun video to share online, Alves has actually been hitting that in training throughout her summer workouts and has extended her long by 5 yards since last season.

“I have been really working on it, last year I could only get 45 and clear it by an inch over the bar, this year I have hit from 50 a few times. I’ve been consistently practicing, I’ve been doing workouts and getting stronger. I think that consistency in training and adding muscle in my legs has been the difference,” said Alves, who is eyeing her best season yet in the spring when football resumes. “I’m just looking to have a great season. My goal is to hit all my extra points, and as for college, if I was ever given the chance I would definitely look into it. Right now though, I am just looking to do better than I did last year.”

Alves is also excited to be a female player making noise in a largely male-dominated sport.

“It’s awesome and I am so grateful to have a team that accepts me and takes me in as their own. My freshman year was tough, I had to acclimate to going from female soccer to predominantly male football. It was a switch, but they treated me like their own and it’s one big family now. It’s been a pleasure playing with them,” said Alves, who is also proud to be able to add to her family’s legacy. “They’re all so supportive. I have played since the sixth grade, my dad played through the collegiate level and now my brother is, so being one of the other family members in football is awesome and they’re so proud.”