PROVIDENCE — La Salle’s loss on the opening night of the boys soccer season wound up standing alone.
The Rams did nothing but win after that setback, including on a splendid Sunday afternoon at Rhode Island College.
Evan Conceicao netted the only goal his team needed. La Salle extended its fascinating knack of winning championships in odd-numbered years, turning back North Kingstown, 1-0, at Alumni Stadium.
More: Past heartbreaks aside, Cumberland girls break through and claim state soccer championship.
Conceicao struck in the 51st minute, capping some Rams pressure out of halftime. La Salle defended stoutly from there, capturing its 16th consecutive league match without a loss or draw. This one put them back on top of the Interscholastic League table for the seventh time since 2011.
“Finishing something that we set our hearts and minds for, I’m really so proud of these kids,” La Salle coach Mario Pereira said. “This was one of my favorite groups.”
Conceicao starred on this occasion, a member of his team’s deep, dynamic midfield. His winning touch came down the right wing after John Rodehorst played a ball into space. Conceicao ran onto it and fired low into the far corner, duplicating the score line in this rematch of the 2021 final.
“That was exactly what we said — ‘Put them on the back foot early; go get the first goal,’ ” Conceicao said. “That’s exactly what we did.”
Conceicao’s goal was scored five minutes after a similar chance down the left wing. Rodehorst touched a pass outside and Conceicao struck a hard shot with his left foot. Skippers keeper Ethan Ford came out to make a sharp save, but the warning had officially been issued.
“[Rodehorst] does the job and he does it so well,” Conceicao said. “He produces for our whole team and that’s what got us our goal today.”
Both teams threatened early. Noah Korzeniowski volleyed wide and Jake Pezza touched a shot wide of the left post for the Skippers in the opening 20 minutes. Max Jackson bent a right-footed shot just outside the right post for the Rams.
“They’re so in tune with one another in sharing the ball and working for one another,” Pereira said. “And then the talent — we get close to the goal and we score a goal.”
La Salle (16-1-0) got a lift from senior midfielder Moises Morales, who missed the 2-1 semifinal victory over Cumberland due to a right knee injury. Morales strapped on a brace and started on Sunday, playing the majority of the game against North Kingstown (12-3-2). His presence alongside Conceicao, Jackson and Edgar Barillas reunited the state’s premier unit.
“It’s incredible,” Conceicao said. “To run at these players and produce offense with these guys, it’s incredible.”
The Skippers were making a third straight finals appearance and looking for a first title since 2014. Instead, it was a Rams team that fell on the opening night, 1-0, to Bishop Hendricken at home. Those 80 minutes weren’t representative of what Pereira thought he had in uniform, and La Salle proved him right over the next two months.
“It’s not a surprise to me because I see the talent every day in practice,” Pereira said. “But it is something I will treasure.”
NORTH KINGSTOWN (0): No scoring.
LA SALLE (1): Evan Conceicao; assist — John Rodehorst.
Halftime — 0-0. Saves — Ethan Ford, NK, 6; Nikolaos Panagos, LS, 4.
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