St. Raphael Defeats Undefeated Scituate in Soccer Match
The Saints secured a 3-2 victory over the top-seeded Spartans at the McKinnon-Alves complex.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Soccer
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St. Raphael handed the undefeated Scituate Spartans a 3-2 defeat during their high school girls soccer match in Pawtucket. The win helps bolster St. Raphael's position in the Division II RPI standings.
Why it matters
The outcome disrupts Scituate's undefeated season and impacts the final seedings for the upcoming Division II playoffs. St. Raphael is now looking to improve its post-season positioning ahead of its final game.
St. Raphael is currently ranked sixth in the Division II RPI standings. Scituate entered the game holding the No. 1 seed for the division playoffs.
The players
St. Raphael
This high school soccer program previously secured Division III championships in both 2024 and 2025.
Scituate
This school serves as the top seed for the current Division II playoff bracket.
The details
St. Raphael controlled the ball for much of the first half despite playing against the wind, utilizing tactical passing and speed to maintain pressure. Goals from Gaby Cuellar and Kamarie Cosme led the offense, while Scituate countered with goals from Lexi Butera and Katelyn Chatelle.
Timeline
October 21, 2026: St. Raphael defeated Scituate 3-2.
October 23, 2026: St. Raphael plays Tiverton in the season finale.
Week of October 26, 2026: Scituate hosts a quarterfinal playoff game.
Season Trajectory
St. Raphael's win over the top-seeded team signals their readiness for a deep run in the Division II postseason. This victory significantly shifts the playoff picture as teams finalize their rankings ahead of the opening round.
St. Raphael could climb to the No. 4 or No. 5 seed in the RPI rankings with a victory in their final game against Tiverton. Scituate will host a quarterfinal playoff match against either Coventry or Westerly next week.
The takeaway
Upsets like this late in the regular season highlight the importance of depth and tactical control ahead of tournament play. Fans should monitor the final RPI standings to see how these rankings affect the upcoming playoff bracket.
Further reading
For more local matchups, visit the Soccer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by USA TODAY.
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