This rematch of last year's boys soccer title match didn't settle the debate. What happened

PROVIDENCE — We’ll wait for another occasion to sort the boys soccer differences this season between La Salle and North Kingstown.

Thursday night didn’t offer enough time. The Rams saw a pair of one-goal leads erased by the Skippers in a rematch of last year’s state title encounter .

Tyler Cross struck in the 68th minute to earn North Kingstown a share of the points in Division I. His close-range shot off a rebound in front pushed the Skippers to a 2-2 draw with La Salle at Cimini Stadium.

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“This tie without two of our best players – we're working together as a team,” Cross said. “It means a lot. We have more momentum to go into the season.”

The Rams were close to protecting their 2-1 halftime lead all the way to the finish. Gerard DiSanto had what could have been the winner in the 38th minute, pouncing on a loose ball off a free kick that caromed toward the back post. La Salle also enjoyed an early 1-0 edge off a pretty volley from John Rodehorst.

“We face them towards the end of the season in NK,” DiSanto said. “We’ll be more prepared.”

North Kingstown allowed an early goal in a 1-0 opening defeat against returning semifinalist Cumberland and was close to a second straight until Cross popped up. Ryan Kanaczet drilled a shot from the top of the penalty area that was spilled toward the right post and Cross was ready for his chance. He fired into the back of an empty cage to cap a period of Skippers pressure.

“It goes back to my rec days when my dad would always tell me to crash the net no matter what,” Cross said. “I knew the goalie couldn’t catch it because Ryan hit a great shot.”

The Rams soaked up some pressure while protecting the edge they grabbed late in the first half. Claudio Laquale played a long free kick off the right side and the Skippers couldn’t head it clear. DiSanto stayed wide on the left wing and made no mistake with his shot from the back post, snapping a 1-1 tie.

“I just knew if it hit someone to be prepared,” DiSanto said. “Always on my toes. Luckily it went to me.”

La Salle was coming off a 2-1 win over South Kingstown and jumped in front again in the 13th minute. Kieran McGlynn feathered a cross in off the right and Rodehorst – a lacrosse commit to Cornell – showed a deft touch in his second sport of choice. He drilled a right-footed shot hard and low, and the Rams had a 1-0 cushion.

“The confidence level is always there,” DiSanto said. “It’s been there. We’re at a high right now.”

North Kingstown trailed for just six minutes, and the tying goal came thanks to a mistake in La Salle’s rebuilt midfield. Kanaczet intercepted an errant pass and sent Charlie Hanus away down the middle of the turf. His shot inside the left post made it 1-1, and the Skippers had some confidence despite the absence of projected senior starters Johnluca Frenzilli (left foot) and Collin Petrella.

“We’re still working on focusing and getting everybody to work together really well,” Cross said. “I think we improved on that today.”

Few introductions were needed in this one. La Salle finished a dominant season with a 1-0 win over North Kingstown last fall at Rhode Island College, banking its seventh championship since 2011. The Skippers fell shy in a third straight title match, adding that defeat to a 2021 setback against the Rams.

“Playing these two teams at the beginning of the season, it builds character towards the end of the season,” DiSanto said. “Two good teams – we're going to work on it.”

“We’re missing a lot of good guys from last year – a lot of key pieces,” Cross said. “We have young guys who are ready to play and have a lot of talent.”

NORTH KINGSTOWN (2): Charlie Hanus, Tyler Cross; assists – Ryan Kanaczet 2.

LA SALLE (2): John Rodehorst, Gerard DiSanto; assist – Kieran McGlynn.

Halftime – LS, 2-1. Saves – Ethan Ford, NK, 7; Jake Raymond, LS, 6.

bkoch@providencejournal.com

On X: @BillKoch25

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: This rematch of last year's boys soccer title match didn't settle the debate. What happened