Johnston Lightning earn indoor title

CHAMPIONSHIP CREW: Members of the Johnston Lightning U-16 girls' team that staked claim to the Indoor Championship in North Smithfield last week includes, bottom row from left: Angelina Dureault and Emma Salzillo. Standing: Coach Mike Ahn, Ava Mello, Ava Sangiovanni, Sinead McSwiggan, Haley Gaunt, Caty Clements, Kiley Marandola, Kiley Ahn, Jenna Thomas and Crystina Marandola. (Submitted photo)

Posted Thursday, January 25, 2018 11:06 am

“We are the champions!”

That was the chant – or cheer – from the Johnston Lightning U-16 girls’ soccer squad that posted an impressive 4-3 come-from-behind win vs. No. 1 seed inside the Wide World of Indoor Sports Complex in North Smithfield.

Johnston, which was seeded second in the recent playoffs, trailed 3-2 with less than five minutes left in the highly-competitive contest.

But the hard-nosed and skilled Johnston defense, led by goalie Haley Gaunt and defenders Kiley Marandola, Ava Sangiovanni, Sinead McSwiggan and Jenna Thomas, seemed to spark the U-16’s offense that received outstanding performances from Caty Clements, Kiley Ahn, Emma Salzillo and Angelina Dureault.