Knights Battleground Week 7: Playoffs and Preseason; Women’s, Men's Soccer to host Region playoffs; Men’s, Women’s, Basketball ramps up for season

Volleyball:  

Coming into the week, the 11-3 Knights were looking to secure the number two seed for the Region 21 tournament when they hosted a tri-match this past weekend. The match featured Quinsigamond CC and the current two seed of the Region, Holyoke CC. Before the match CCRI honored their two sophomores on sophomore night, #2 Audrey Isherwood and #11 Brooke Dibenedetto. The Knights opened the tri-match by playing Quinsigamond and dominating the first two sets of the match to go up 2-0. Quinsigamond then won a hard-fought set 3 by both teams, 25-23. The Knights ended up winning the fourth set 25-16 and won the match against Quinsigamond.  

The Knights would then face Holyoke for the last game of the tri-match, and for the two seed in the Region 21 tournament. The Knights won the first set 25-18. In the second set Holyoke pushed the score all the way to 24-19, but quickly lost that lead as the Knights would rally seven straight unanswered points to comeback and win the second set 26-24. With help from Teagan Abatiello, as she recorded 4 straight spikes and 5 in total for the Knights comeback set 2 win. The Knights then closed out another close set 3, 25-23 for the 3-0 match sweep against Holyoke to win the second seed in the tournament.  

The Knights will be back in action at Bunker Hill on Saturday, November 2nd for the Region 21 tournament against Holyoke. 

Women’s Soccer 

CCRI had two final games on the schedule this week, with their last conference game against Bristol CC on Wednesday, October 23rd ,Followed by a non-conference game against Roxbury Community College on Saturday, October 26th. CCRI quickly asserted themselves, as Margeory Giron-Reyes scored the first goal just eight minutes in, assisted by Kassidy Sisco. Sisco then played a pivotal role again at the 28-minute mark, setting up Herlinda Guitirez for a second goal, extending the lead to 2-0 before halftime. 

The second half saw Guitirez strike again at the 59-minute mark, with Ariel O'Brien providing the assist, making it 3-0. Sisco capped off the scoring with an unassisted goal just three minutes later, sealing the match at 4-0. Defensively, CCRI's Leah Neves was exceptional in goal, recording 11 saves and earning a shutout. In contrast, Bristol struggled offensively, managing only seven shots, with Savannah Sousa leading her team with three shots on goal. Bristol's Hilaria Cassama received a red card in the final minutes, out of frustration.  

Saturday was the Knights last home game and Sophomore Day for the graduating 2nd year players. The match started with CCRI quickly establishing control, as Meadow Santos scored the opening goal at the 19-minute mark with a powerful penalty kick. This early strike set the tone for the rest of the game. In the second half, CCRI maintained their momentum, with Margeory Giron-Reyes doubling the lead at the 50-minute mark, courtesy of an assist fromMayah Santos. Despite CCRI’s consistent offensive pressure led by Kassidy Sisco, Roxbury struggled to generate any scoring opportunities, finishing the game without a shot on goal. Leah Neves faced no shots on net, reflecting the team's strong defensive effort. Kassidy Sisco led the offense with three shots on goal, contributing to a total of 18 shots for CCRI. The victory ends CCRI’s regular season with an outstanding record of 9-2-2.  

CCRI earned the #1 seed in NJCAA Region 21 Conference play. They will host throughout the regional playoffs. Their quarterfinals playoff game is scheduled for Thursday, October 31st at 3PM, vs Springfield Technical Community College, who finished 4th in region play, and with an overall record of 3-6-1. In their two matchups this season, CCRI won both, with final scores of 3-0 and 1-0.  

Men’s Soccer:  

Although Men’s Soccer had no games this week, there was still a bunch of conference play throughout the region, and the Knights, who entered the week as the 5 seed, had to wait and see how their luck played out. If they moved up to #3 or #4, they would host. #5 or #6, and it would be an away game.  

Fortunately for the Knights, the odds played in their favor, and they ended up the #4 seed in the region. They will host #5 Bristol Community College on Tuesday, October 29th at 3:00 PM. This season, the Knights faced Bristol twice, losing the first match 4-3, and then they tied in the second match 1-1. The Knights will see if they can get into the win column this time.  

Player Spotlight: Kassidy Sisco 

From the Women’s Soccer team, Kassidy “Kass” Sisco is our player of the week after two very strong performances in the Knights last two regular season games and wins for the nights. Sisco, a freshman Midfielder/Forward from Westerly, RI, has started all but two games for Rhode Island, and led the Knights to a 2-0 week. In her last three games, Sisco has racked up 1 goal and 3 assists, as well as putting up a team high 14 shots on goal. Kass showed relentless hustle on the offensive end, a huge positive for the Knights as they fight for another Region XXI title Thursday, October 26th at 3 PM.  

Men’s Basketball:  

The season is here! Coach Mike Romano and the CCRI Knights began pre-season play last week and will finish on Tuesday October 29th away against Wheaton College.  

The Knights first game is away this weekend on Saturday, November 2nd at 1 PM against Great Bay Community College.  

Women’s Basketball:  

The season is here! Coach Doug Haynes and the CCRI Knights begin preseason play this week with two away games, the first on Monday, October 28th at 6 PM vs Putnam Science Academy, and then Thursday, October 31st at 7:45 PM at Johnson and Wales University.  

Following their short preseason, the Knights turn around to start the regular season this upcoming weekend as they host the annual CCRI Invitational in Warwick, with a game Saturday, November 2nd, vs Nassau Community College at 3 PM, and Sunday, November 3rd vs Monroe University at 3 PM.