OLM Middle School Soccer Team Advances to CAL Championship Game With 2-1 Overtime Win
The OLM School Middle School Soccer team advanced to the Catholic Athletic League Championship game with a 2-1 double overtime semifinal win over St. Teresa’s on Wednesday, June 13 at LaSalle Academy. The OLM Jaguars will face undefeated top seed St. Joseph’s on Friday, June 15 at 6 p.m. at LaSalle for the CAL title. St. Joe’s swept OLM, 5-0 and 3-1, during the regular season. Against St. Theresa’s on Wednesday, OLM took an early lead on a goal by 8th grader Hayden Clare. St. Theresa’s tied the game midway through the second half, knotting the score at 1-1 at the end of regulation. The game-winning goal was scored by 8th grader Jacob Couto in the second five-minute overtime period as he knocked in a deflection from 7th grader Aidan Hayes. This will be OLM’s first trip to the title game since 2014.
The 27-member co-ed team, coached by Brian Garrepy and Assistants Jamie Pedro and Jamie Verdi, includes 8th Graders: Jackson Breiding (Warwick), Ryan Buckley (Warwick), Colin Butera (East Greenwich), Molly Wren (North Kingstown), Jacob Couto (North Kingstown), David Lynch (East Greenwich), Hayden Clare (North Kingstown), Nicholas Narcessian (Warwick), Mae Legare, (East Greenwich) Santino Izzi (North Kingstown), Jacob Rademacher (Warwick), Matthew Pedro (Warwick) 7th Graders: Kyler deBont (East Greenwich), Aidan Hayes (Warwick), Faith Basler (East Greenwich), Devin Lynch (East Greenwich), Morgan Verdi (North Kingstown), Brian Garrepy (Warwick), Blake Sykes (Coventry), Connor Caldwell (Warwick), Finnigan Schwoebel (North Kingstown), Thomas Simonetti (East Greenwich), Olivia Mattos (North Kingstown), Sean Pedro (Warwick), Ben Buckley (Warwick), Connor Igoe (West Greenwich) 6th Grader: Michael Mita (Warwick)
OLM advanced to the semifinals on May 31 with a 6-4 win over third-seeded St. Luke’s after trailing 3-1 at the half. The Jaguars finished the regular season with a 6-4 record, tied for second place, competing in the Grammar Red (South) Division which includes 6th through 8th graders. A coin flip placed them as the #2 seed heading into the playoffs. Other teams in the Grammar Red include St. Pius X (Westerly), Immaculate Conception (Cranston), Bishop McVinney (Providence) and St. Thomas (Providence). OLM’s home games were held at The Rocky Hill School.
On making it to the championship game, coach Garrepy noted, “I think I’m more proud of watching those kids that have acted brilliantly on stage, on ice, on basketball courts, on soccer fields and in the classroom, figure out a way to band together and support each other in this environment. We didn’t ever talk about winning or finals, but we are here and have enjoyed the process.”
With a tradition of excellence in Catholic elementary and middle school education since 1951, Our Lady of Mercy School offers its students an opportunity to pursue excellence in academics, athletics and the arts on their journey as young saints and scholars. Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, the Pre-K through Grade 8, co-educational Catholic school located in East Greenwich provides a nurturing, values-driven environment built upon the teachings of the Catholic Church.
