Boys soccer ties Lynn Tech, 1-1
The Chelsea High boys soccer team battled to a 1-1 tie with Lynn Tech in its only contest of the past week. Coach Mick Milutinovic’s Red Devils now stand at 1-0-1 on the season.
Chelsea senior Luis Cruz broke a 0-0 deadlock with a goal about 10 minutes into the second half, putting home a rebound from a shot by junior teammate Carlos Lainez that had hit the post.
Chelsea clung to its 1-0 lead until Tech caught a break with 10 minutes to go when a collision among two Chelsea defenders and a Tech player left the Red Devils taken out of the play and the ball bouncing to an open Tech player, who took the ball in for the goal.
“It was a tough break, but things like that happen,” said CHS assistant coach Evan Protasowicki.
The Red Devils, who controlled the play in the second half, pressed mightily for the go ahead goal in the final 10 minutes. But the gods were not smiling favorably upon the Chelsea squad, who saw a direct kick by Lainez strike the cross bar and come down directly on the goal line and then another shot by Michael Kottu, who had beaten the Tech defenders for a clean look at the Tech keeper, strike the post.
“We played a solid game against a Tech team that figures to be one of our top rivals in the league,” said Protasowicki. “Our defense played very well against their forwards, who are very dangerous.”
The Red Devils were scheduled to play at Minuteman Regional yesterday (Wednesday) and will host Shawsheen Tuesday afternoon in their 2012 home opener.
Boys cross country team cruises to win
The Chelsea High boys cross country team won its second meet of the season, shutting out Whittier, 15-49. Senior captain Chester Rath recorded his first victory of the 2012 campaign with a personal record (PR) run of 18:59. Jeffrey Estrada was second in a time of 19:39. Faisal Nasimi was the third Chelsea finisher, followed by Tony Nguyen.
Finishing in fifth place for the Red Devils was freshman Luis Romero. Freshman Alex Alvarez took sixth place and Brian Jimenez was the seventh finisher for Chelsea to finish up the scoring. Jay Pedrero finished in ninth place overall as Chelsea had eight finishers in the top 10.
“The team ran well and is deeper than we were last year,” said CHS head coach Don Fay. “We have some young runners who look like they have some potential. We are working hard and are looking to repeat last year’s regular season record (9-0).
“We’re also looking to win the league meet title,” added the coach, who noted that Shawsheen, Greater Lowell, and Greater Lawrence look to be Chelsea’s toughest competition this year.
On the girls’ side, the Lady Red Devils dropped a close meet to Whittier, 25-30.
Senior captain Tatyana Almedia was second overall, followed by senior captain Patricia Guardado in fourth place. Katherine Villagran was fifth for Chelsea.
However, Whittier captured the next three places to clinch the meet. This drops the girls to 0-2 on the year.
“At this point in the season, we are looking to run better each week and get a couple of our girls back from injuries,” said Fay.
The next meet for the girls will be against Notre Dame and Lynn Tech.