You can call them the Chariho-Prout co-op field hockey team or Charihopro. But whatever you call them, call them the top-ranked team in RIIL Division 3.

The second-year field hockey co-op sits as the No. 1 team in Division 3 after a 3-0 week. All three were shutouts and two of the defeated were ECC teams, Fitch and Waterford in 3-0 and 2-0 wins.

Chariho’s 4-1 start has already exceeded the co-op’s first year when it produced a 2-11-1 record in Division II last year. The Chargers struggled with roster size in the last two years and turned to Prout, which doesn’t have enough players for its own team. Together for the second year, they have scored 13 goals and allowed just two after five games.

Chariho features a strong tradition, making the Division finals in 2023 and 2021 with an undefeated team before losing in the finals. The program appears to have survived its roster scare with the help of neighboring Prout.

“We’re absolutely exceeding expectations,” coach Ally Bobbin said. “We lost our first game to Toll Gate but have worked out the kinks. The girls are excited but we’re just getting started.”

The addition of freshman Emily LaFountain has energized Chariho’s offense. LaFountain, daughter of long-time head coach and current assistant Johanna LaFountain, plays club lacrosse year-round. Her advanced stickhandling stands out at the scholastic level. She scored the first goal Saturday in the win over Waterford, which had momentum after a 4-0 win over Killingly Thursday.

Offensively, LaFountain has meshed with Madalyn Burdick, Frances Smith, Sarah Silt and Vivian Smith to produce goals. Nola Bellnier has impressed as starting goalkeeper with the help of defenders Genevieve Ogren, Madeline Bayles, Rachel Dias and Izzy Woodmansee. The shutout streak continued Monday as Chariho/Prout and Smithfield played to a 0-0 tie.

“All of our defenders did well today [against Waterford].” Bobbin said. “They all had a couple of stick stops and carries. We’re a grass team at home but we were on turf all of last week. It takes a while to adjust to the surface and get your connections, but we have a lot of girls who enjoy playing on turf. Emily plays on college turf fields all year on her club team. It’s her bread and butter to be on tis surface. It’s a faster game but we can adjust.”

The talented freshman has given Chariho a LaFountain of youth if you will.

“I see us getting better and better as we get used to playing with each other,” LaFountain said. “We’re in the groove.”