High School Playoffs: Soccer and Volleyball Teams That Moved On

Girls Soccer - Division IV Semifinals

In Rehoboth, Massachusetts, the Lincoln School girls soccer team faced off against Blackstone Valley Prep in the Division IV semifinals. Despite being the top-seeded team, the Lynx weren't immune to nerves before the game. However, their early performance quickly eased any tension.

The game started with a strong showing from Lincoln School, as Sadie Schiller scored just 7 minutes and 46 seconds into the first half. This goal set the tone for the rest of the match, and the Lynx continued to dominate. Elie Brody added another goal two minutes later, making it a 2-0 lead before the 10-minute mark.

Lincoln School's offensive momentum didn't slow down. The team maintained control throughout the first half, with the defense playing a crucial role in keeping Blackstone Valley Prep from making any significant progress. The halftime score was 2-0 in favor of the Lynx.

Strong Performance in the Second Half

The second half saw Lincoln School extend their lead even further. Schiller scored her second goal just 21 seconds into the half, and Brody followed up with her second goal at 2:33. Susannah Duggan then added a goal at 5:11, showcasing the team's depth and ability to maintain pressure on the opponent.

Brody completed her hat trick with 26 minutes left in the game, solidifying the Lynx's dominance. Maggie McDonald, who plays defense, also contributed by scoring a goal with 6:26 remaining, sealing the 7-0 victory.

Team Confidence and Strategy

Elie Brody, one of the standout players for Lincoln School, acknowledged the team's confidence heading into the game. "I was definitely stressing out a little bit this weekend," she said. "I knew our team was great, we had great pieces, and I'm glad we got this done and are on to the next one."

Lincoln School finished the regular season with an impressive record of 16-1-1, including a 5-0 win over Blackstone Valley Prep. They only allowed four goals throughout the season, which earned them the No. 1 seed in the D-IV tournament.

Despite their strong regular season performance, the team understood that they couldn't afford to be complacent. "We almost play like we're down," Brody explained. "You never know. If they get one goal, you never know what can happen, and we just play as hard as we can no matter what the score is."

Key Players and Contributions

The success of Lincoln School wasn't just due to individual performances but also the collective effort of the entire team. Schiller's early goal set the tone, while Brody's quick scoring pace kept the pressure on the opposition. Duggan's contributions in both attack and defense were crucial, and McDonald's late goal capped off a dominant performance.

The midfield and defensive line played a vital role in limiting Blackstone Valley Prep's opportunities. Their ability to maintain possession and control the tempo of the game was a key factor in the 7-0 victory.

Looking Ahead

With this win, Lincoln School advances to the next round of the tournament, where they will face a new challenge. The team's strong performance and determination have set the stage for a potential deep run in the playoffs.

As the season continues, the Lynx will look to build on their success and prove that they are a force to be reckoned with in the Division IV tournament.

The win sends Lincoln School to its second championship game in program history after joining the RIIL in 2017. The Lynx will face a familiar foe in Tiverton, the team that eliminated them from the postseason last fall and beat them, 3-0, on Oct. 23.

“It’s 100 percent just about our team and how we play,” Schiller said. “We’ve had such amazing team chemistry, I love playing with all my girls. Win or not, in the championship I’m happy I’m going into it with this team and it doesn’t matter who we’re having as long as we play our best game.”

– Eric Rueb

No. 2 Tiverton 2, No. 3 Davies 1

Tiverton coach Jim Gauch did not send scoring information in to the Journal.

⚽GIRLS SOCCER - Division II Semifinals

No. 3 Prout 0, No. 2 East Providence 0

Eric Rueb's story on the Crusaders' shootout win coming soon.

No. 5 Westerly 4, No. 8 Moses Brown 0

Westerly coach Jay Hudson did not send scoring information to the Journal.

⚽GIRLS SOCCER - Division III Semifinals

No. 3 St. Raphael 4, No. 2 Burrillville 1

St. Raphael coach Leo Lebeuf did not send scoring information into the Journal.

⚽BOYS SOCCER - Division II Semifinals

No. 4 North Providence 3, No. 8 Mt. Hope 0

North Providence coach Orlando Zarone did not send scoring information into the Journal.

No. 6 Chariho 2, No. 10 Tiverton 1

Chariho coach Brian Williams did not send scoring information into the Journal.

⚽BOYS SOCCER - Division III Semifinals

No. 1 Burrillville 6, No. 4 Johnston 1

Burrillville coach Steven Kuk did not send scoring information into the Journal.

No. 2 Toll Gate 3, No. 3 Narragansett 2

Greg Laliberte scored twice (and had an assist), Braydon Fagundes added another goal (and recorded an assist), and Brandon Molina had an assist to help the Titans edge the Mariners. With the win Toll Gate advances to face top-seed Burrillville in the Division III championship on Sunday.

🏐GIRLS VOLLEYBALL - Division I Semifinals

No. 2 Barrington 3, No. 3 Mt. Hope 0

Read Jake Rousseau's story on the Eagles' sweep of the Huskies.

🏐GIRLS VOLLEYBALL - Division III Semifinals

No. 1 Ponaganset 3, No. 4 Johnston 0

The Chieftains apparently were comfortable on their home court as several players contributed to the shutout (25-15, 25-21, 25-13). Among Ponaganset’s standouts were Laurel Cournoyer with 10 kills; Zoe Glover with 8 kills, 9 digs and 4 aces; Kyla Desormiar with 8 kills and an ace; and Anna Lafontaine with 28 assists and an ace. Ponaganset, the No. 1 seed, moves on to the D-III Finals and will play Tiverton at RIC on Sunday.

No. 2 Tiverton 3, No. 3 Scituate 0

Ady Amaral recorded 6 kills, 1 block, 1 ace and 3 digs and Liv Perreira had 4 kills, 4 aces, 11 digs to help propel the Tigers to victory over the Spartans in the D-III semifinal. Also contributing to the win were Livvy Rodrigues (6 aces, 6 digs, 1 kill) and Chloe Jackson (6 aces and 7 digs). With the win, Tiverton advances to the D-III finals for a date with No. 1 seed Ponaganset on Sunday at RIC, beginning at noon.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: High School Playoff Roundup: Here are the soccer and volleyball teams who advanced