The U16 women’s team from Warren were crowned Rhode Island Super Liga state champions over the weekend, following a thrilling 3-2 victory over Portsmouth.

The championship matches were held this past weekend at the Bristol Town Beach sports complex, with two undefeated teams battling for the U16 Women’s title. The highly anticipated match between Warren and Portsmouth was pushed to Sunday at 6:00 p.m. due to thunderstorms on Saturday.

Warren took an early first-half lead with a leading pass from Kendra Ascoli to Gabriella Loffredo. Loffredo beat the defensive line and delivered a low corner shot that skirted through a diving Portsmouth keeper, Sadie Maloney.

Portsmouth's mid-line tied it up with a 40-yard shot from Violet Silvia to end the first half.

Kendra Ascoli and Makenzie Lema controlled the play in the middle of the field for Warren. Captain Vivienne Noonan battled an aggressive Portsmouth team working the ball up on outside all game. Noonan took some brutal hits as she fed the ball into the middle to shooters Loffredo, Ava Morrisette, Ella Texeira, and Sophia Santoro. The speed of Warren's attacking line kept Portsmouth’s defensive line backed up all game.

“Portsmouth has a great group of players, and they were aggressive the entire game,” said coach Karyn Noonan. “I have seen their striker Maddie Collins before and she has a powerful left, so I kept our defensive back solid.”

Thalia Adkins and Vivyanna Gomes shut down the middle for Warren with Mackenzie Stall, Jasmine Kenney and Jocelyn Leitao on the outside.

Portsmouth then went up 2-1 with a goal from midfielder Lindsey Babine.

“You could see our ladies go a little bit flat after that but that’s why we have Adrianna,” said Noonan. But keeper Adrianna Lage kept Warren in the game with diving saves. “Adrianna bailed us out back there, no doubt about it. She remained locked and focused and kept us in the game.”

Co-captain Aubrey Cummings had been outstanding for Warren all season and didn’t disappoint in the finals. Cummings, who typically ranges all over the field, helped hold the defensive line in the finals. Down 2-1 with under 5 minutes remaining, Cummings stripped the ball from an attacking player and traveled half the field for a high corner goal to tie the score.

Then, with less than a minute of regulation to play, Cummings did it again — putting Warren ahead, 3-2, to secure the title.

“I was preparing for the finals to go into PK when Aubrey does what Aubrey does,” Noonan said. “Received the ball off a deflection and scored with less than a minute to go. I can’t think of a better way to win a championship.”

Reports courtesy of Karyn Noonan