Could this week be a potential preview of some boys soccer finals in November?
The current standings tell us that might be the case. Division I, Division II and Division IV will all give us matchups between leading contenders to this point.
The girls soccer standings have already gone through a bit of a shakeup. Division I looks set for a wild postseason – you wouldn’t put the mortgage on any one team in the current field. And that’s not a criticism of those at the top – the depth in the standings is simply daunting on paper.
North Kingstown’s boys lead Division I and have a pair of showdowns this week with Cumberland and La Salle. The Skippers continue to sizzle their way through the competition, drawing a lone regular season game since the start of 2022. The Clippers, Rams, Bishop Hendricken and South Kingstown are all firmly in the mix.
North Smithfield faces off with East Greenwich in Division II. The Northmen remain perfect and their offensive attack hasn’t found a rough patch just yet. The Avengers could give a lift to themselves, Coventry, Cranston West, Pilgrim and Shea by taking a bite out of the leaders.
Woonsocket and Mount Pleasant are set for a date in Division IV. The Villa Novans and Kilties are two of the four teams who seem to have separated themselves from the rest. Davies and Toll Gate are both comfortably over .500 and within striking distance.
Cumberland’s girls are in the best current form in Division I, riding a 7-0-1 mark through the midpoint. The Clippers start a four-match road swing with a trip to La Salle, a prickly stretch that will test their mettle. Chariho, Mt. Hope and Pilgrim all would be dangerous playoff opponents while two-time champion North Kingstown, Cranston West, South Kingstown and Barrington are among those lurking.
Scituate, St. Raphael, Middletown and Ponaganset top the Division III boys. Lincoln, Scituate, Mount St. Charles, Portsmouth, Prout and North Providence make up a deep pool in Division II girls. Toll Gate, Westerly, Classical and Narragansett are rolling in Division III girls while Johnston, Rogers, Providence Country Day and Davies pace Division IV girls.
Thanks to all the coaches and administrators who continue to stay in touch with us and report scores. There’s still plenty of room for more – you can reach us Monday-Friday from 6-10 p.m. at (401) 277-7340 or any time at pjsports@providencejournal.com. Thanks in advance for reaching out.
With that, on to the nominees for our Storm Works Roofing & Restoration Athlete of the Week in Boys Soccer from Oct. 2-8.
Aidan Bienvenue, North Smithfield
The Northmen barrel into the week at 8-0-0 in Division II, and Bienvenue is a big reason why. He closed with a goal and three assists in a 7-1 cruise past Cranston East.
Julian Diaz, St. Raphael
The Saints are among those setting the pace in defense of their Division III title. Diaz made 12 saves in a 2-0 shutout against Ponaganset, his second clean sheet of the week.
Noah Korzeniowski, North Kingstown
Korzeniowski is flying as an attacking midfielder for the second straight year. He netted a pair of goals as the Skippers downed Moses Brown, 5-2, in Division I.
Jovany Santos, Westerly
The Bulldogs have come to life in Division II, winning four of their last five matches. Santos helped extend that string with a pair of goals in a 3-1 triumph over Smithfield.
Aiden Wilkins, Coventry
The Oakers are unbeaten in six and have captured their last five Division II matches. One of those victories was a 3-2 thriller against East Greenwich, as Wilkins netted two goals to spark the winners.
bkoch@providencejournal.com
On X: @BillKoch25
www.providencejournal.com
https://www.providencejournal.com/story/sports/high-school/2023/10/09/storm-works-roofing-athlete-of-the-week-in-boys-soccer-providence-journal/71116561007/
