Panthers look to get job done

The Johnston girls soccer team is gearing up for another Division IV playoff run as it enters this week’s postseason as the second seed with a 10-2-1 record.
Much of last year’s core returns including leading scorers Alexia DiLorenzo and Kaylee Poole, who have scored 19 and 12 goals respectively, while keeper Ava Waterman has been stellar, picking up 11 shutouts on the season.
The Panthers return after being upset as the top seed last year when they fell to Providence Country Day in the semis. With many of the same starters back on the roster, coach Toni Scavitti is excited to see how they respond to last year’s heartbreaking loss.
“We’re pretty confident being it is the second time in as many years. The girls are more prepared in terms of what to expect. Last year was the first time a lot of the players experienced the playoffs in any sport so it was definitely new to them. They are now more comfortable knowing that the reality is that all bets are off and teams are playing at a different level at this point,” said Scavitti.
Scavitti will continue to lean on the trio of DiLorenzo, Poole and Waterman, who have carried the load to this point.
“They have stepped up in a positive way. We have an older team so there is a lot of experience on the team. They have stepped up in their own ways. Ultimately, they realize that the playoffs bring a different aspect of teams out. It doesn’t matter what happens in the regular season, it’s a new season,” said Scavitti.
The Panthers opened the playoff taking on Blackstone Valley Prep, who they beat 5-0 in the regular season. Although Johnston proved that it could dominate BVP, Scavitti urged her players to forget about what happened earlier this fall.
“We don’t know. Maybe they weren’t at full strength, it was pouring rain when we played them. I told them to not take them lightly, don’t assume we will beat them just because we already did,” said Scavitti. “We have to remember last year and realize that there are no guarantees, you have to earn it. It’s on their minds, they don’t speak about it but they are using it for knowledge and how not to let it happen again.”