Above: Raindrops on the press box window show the dreary conditions Shea and Cranston East endured during their match on Tuesday.
BY CHARLIE ADAMS, TSM Head Writer
(CRANSTON, RI) - The Thunderbolts boys soccer team was back in action this Tuesday as they went head-to-head with Shea High School’s Raiders. Cranston East entered the contest with a 3-3 record, coming off of a close 1-0 defeat against Chariho. The Raiders sat a 0-6, having only scored 5 goals in their previous contests. On a cold and rainy day, the ‘Bolts scored at will in the second-half as they cruised to victory, 4-1.
The teams were forced to play through severe wind and rain that only worsened as the match progressed. The conditions could possibly have played a factor in the Thunderbolts’ slow start, compared to their domination in the second half
Michael Lopez nearly bent a corner kick into the net to break the scoreless tie within the first 15 minutes, but it went just over the net. Senior forward Jose Valenzuela found the back of the net for the first East goal of the contest. Shea had a penalty kick opportunity late in the first half, capitalizing with it and tying the game at 1 as the teams entered halftime.
Lopez was able to find the back of the net early in the second half on a rocket from far out. Just minutes after Nadeem Chaudhry added another, bringing the lead to 3-1 and putting the ‘Bolts in control. The Thunderbolts added on with their fourth goal of the night courtesy of Valenzuela’s second goal of the night. No more scoring was to be had, as David White and his ten saves preserved the lead as Cranston East secured their fifth win of the season, 4-1.
Despite the conditions and the sting of their last match at Chariho, the ‘Bolts responded and performed well in the second half to make the result a clear victory in everyone's eyes. The Cranston East boys soccer team returns to play Thursday where they’ll face a solid Smithfield squad at Cranston Stadium.
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