PROVIDENCE — There’s a certain amount of pressure that goes along with being a member of the La Salle girls soccer team, says Elizabeth Laprade.

“It’s really hard coming on to this team because you know you’re coming to one of the best teams in the nation,” she said. “You have to live up to the expectations.”

Laprade and her teammates certainly lived up to the hype this fall, securing the I-North title with a 16-0 record and then capping off their perfect season with yet another state crown, as well.

Thanks to Laprade’s goal in the 43rd minute, La Salle edged South Kingstown, 1-0, in the Rhode Island Interscholastic League Girls Division I Championship of the 29th annual MetLife Soccer Classic, Sunday at Rhode Island College.

It marks the Rams’ seventh state title in the last nine years.

“Another great season,” said longtime high school soccer coach Joe Avila, in his second year as the girls’ coach at La Salle. “I think we deserved to win. And we fought for it. South Kingstown definitely gave us a game. I think we worked very hard for this, going 19-0 (overall). This was our 100th goal for the year. It’s amazing. That’s a great achievement right there.”

Early on in Sunday’s rematch with South Kingstown, however, La Salle was unable to get a shot past Rebels keeper Nikki Gorman, twice hitting the crossbar.

Avila told his players not to worry.

“We did have some good opportunities in the first half. They were playing very tough on defense,” he said. “I told the team before the second half, ‘Let’s not panic. Let’s play our style of ball. Knock the ball around. Let’s find someone breaking through.’ And that’s exactly what happened.”

Laprade, who had scored just four goals during the regular season, delivered what would prove to be the game-winner less than 3 minutes into the second period.

“McKenzie Meehan came down the left side and crossed it, and I got a nice flick from Daria Capaldi,” said Laprade, named the MetLife Soccer Classic MVP for her role in the victory. “Basically I remember the ball being right out in front of me and thinking, ‘I have got to put this one in.’”

“La Salle’s a strong team. There’s no denying they’re a great team,” said South Kingstown coach Jim Kelly. “The kids played with so much heart. I couldn’t ask anything more from those kids. They did everything they had to do to get here. They squeaked out some games. They also raised money for their community. They lost this game, but they were winners throughout the season. They can look back and say, ‘We had a great season.’”

LA SALLE (1): Elizabeth Laprade; assists – Daria Capaldi, McKenzie Meehan. SOUTH KINGSTOWN (0).

Halftime – 0-0. Saves – Caroline McCabe, LS, 4; Nikki Gorman, SK, 6.

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