Two wins for CHS boys soccer; ranked 30th in D-2
The Chelsea High boys soccer team posted a pair of clean sheets in victories over Greater Boston League (GBL) rivals Malden and Medford this past week.
After a scoreless first half in last Thursday’s contest with Malden, Red Devil Jose Joj took advantage of an opportunity when the Golden Tornado goalkeeper failed to secure the ball in his hands. Jose was able to pounce on the loose ball and tapped it into the open net.
Shortly thereafter, a Chelsea player crossed the ball into the box. Though the pass failed to find a Red Devil, the Malden defenders were unable to clear it — and Joao Pereira happened to be in the right place at the right time amidst the chaos to toe-poke the ball in the back of the Malden net.
Joj then sealed the 3-0 CHS victory with his second goal of the game.
In Tuesday’s contest with Medford, a team that ranks among the top squads in the GBL, a first-half corner by Chelsea did not find a waiting Red Devil, but poor clearance by the Medford defense allowed the ball to fall to Alexander Gonzalez, who bent the ball around the Mustang keeper for a 1-0 lead.
The rest of the game proved to be a grueling match between two teams that equally wanted to win. Both the Red Devils and the Mustangs seemed to be on the verge of scoring, with both teams having multiple chances, but Gonzalez’s goal held up for the 1-0 Chelsea victory.
“Both games had an impressive showing from our back line, made up of Brayan Andrade, Jorge Perez, Stiven Osegura, and Josafath ‘Gallo’ Gonzalez, as well as Emerson Merino, who stepped in for Gonzalez who had to be subbed off after a rough tackle,” said CHS assistant coach William Estrada. “Defenders don’t often get the credit that they deserve, but we would’ve not been able to secure these back-to-back wins without them.”
Head coach Mick Milutinovic and his crew, who broke a four-game losing skein with the two victories, now stand at 7-7 on the season with three matches left on their schedule. They are scheduled to host Lynn Classical tomorrow (Friday) at Chelsea Stadium at 5:45 and will journey to Somerville next Tuesday. They will entertain Boston International next Wednesday at 5:45.
The Red Devils are ranked 30th in the Division 2 Power Rankings, a position that would earn them a spot in the post-season state tourney. Chelsea also can qualify for the tourney by attaining a .500 record, which would require them to earn three points in their final three matches.
CHS girls volleyball awaits tourney foe
The Chelsea High girls volleyball team, who propelled themselves into the state tourney with a four-match winning streak over the past two weeks, now await the announcement of their final seeding and first round opponent in the Division 2 state tourney.
Coach Gloria Rodriguez’s squad punched their ticket for a Journey to the Tourney with a gutsy and clutch string of four straight wins — three of which were decided in a fifth set — over Malden, Revere, New Mission, and Medford that boosted the Lady Red Devils’ record from 7-6 to 11-6, thus assuring them of the .500 record needed to qualify for the tourney.
The announcement from the MIAA of the tourney schedule is expected at the start of next week.
Boys cross country defeats Revere
The Chelsea High boys cross country team earned a 20-43 victory at Greater Boston League (GBL) rival Revere last week.
Leading the way for the Red Devils was Kyle Leong, who came across the line in second place with a time of 18:18 over the 2.89 course at Belle Isle. Teammate Sherwin Kim was next with a clocking of 18:47, followed by Ivan Irias-Padilla in fourth in 19:04, Eric Anderson in fifth in 19:16, and Bryan Amaya in sixth in 19:23.
Carlos Perez ran a strong race, finishing seventh in 19:24. Gamliel Artica (20:18) and Sebastian Molina (20:26) also turned in fine efforts. Jose Vega (24:18) and Royal Tun (24:50) rounded out the Chelsea team.
For the CHS girls, Hazel Hatleberg took second place with a fine time of 20:58.
Coach Cesar Hernandez and his crew were scheduled to compete yesterday (Wednesday) in the GBL Meet at Medford’s Torbert Macdonald Park along the banks of the Mystic River.
CHS football at Medford tonight
The Chelsea High football team will make the short trek westward on the Parkway to Hormel Stadium to take on Medford this evening (Thursday). The opening kickoff is set for 6:00.