SPORTS

Thunderbirds pick up first win

By ALEX SPONSELLER
Posted 2/7/24

The Cranston-East Greenwich girls hockey co-op would pull off a 6-4 comeback win over host Burrillville last week to pick up its first win of the season and its first victory since 2021.

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SPORTS

Thunderbirds pick up first win

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The Cranston-East Greenwich girls hockey co-op would pull off a 6-4 comeback win over host Burrillville last week to pick up its first win of the season and its first victory since 2021.

After falling behind 2-0 in the first period, the Thunderbirds would catch fire down the stretch and take off offensively. Leading scorer Sofia Nardelli was stellar once again as the freshman phenom recorded a trio of goals to jumpstart the comeback.

Madisen Gallo also scored a pair of goals, which were her first goals of the season while Lindsey Rowe added another. Freshman goalie Cora Dempsey stopped 36 of 40 shots faced in the victory.

After coming up short in a controversial loss in the previous game, the Thunderbirds were hungry heading into the road tilt against the Broncos.

“Sofia took a shot, it went inside-out and it was called a no-goal. Everyone in the building knew it was a goal, but we lost a 7-6 heartbreaker so I knew our momentum was in the right place (heading into the Burrillville game),” said Cranston coach Matt Davis. “The girls fought hard and I’m proud of them. Burrillville is a great team, they’ve always been a great team. That was a huge win for us.”

Despite losing their first seven games, Davis was happy with his team’s perseverance as it continues to find its way this winter season.

“They were so excited. It’s (tough) as a coach to get these girls to stick with it while continuing to lose, but they keep coming to practice, they keep showing up which says a lot about their character,” said Davis.

Cranston now has five games left on its regular season slate. The top six teams reach the playoffs and with a few wins, the Thunderbirds could still be in position to qualify. Cranston faced Warwick on Tuesday, but the results were not available at press time.

Regardless of record, Davis is thrilled with the young team’s progress.

“The girls are very excited to get that one out of the way, that bad omen. However we finish, we’re finishing higher than this group ever has and it’s a testament to the kids,” said Davis.

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