After starting the season with ten consecutive games undefeated, the Chelsea High boys soccer team has hit a rough patch. Over the past ten days, competition has intensified, and with several key midfielders sidelined, the Red Devils have faltered against stronger opponents, dropping three of their last four matches. Their worst performance came on October 13 against Somerville, a 6-1 rout. The following day brought a rematch with Somerville that showed improvement but ended in a 3-0 loss—Chelsea’s first shutout of the year. “In the first game, we were completely outmatched,” noted Evan Protasowicki, assistant coach under head coach Mick Mitunovich. “We were in the second game the whole time. We missed a lot of offensive opportunities. The ‘D played real well, but [Somerville] just capitalized on three mistakes. Good times know how to punish your mistakes.” According to Protasowicki, goalie Norliss Torres deserved credit for limiting Somerville’s scoring opportunities through most of the contest. The visitors struck twice in the opening half, then remained scoreless until converting a breakaway goal in the final ten minutes. Two days later, Chelsea responded with a 4-1 victory at Whittier Tech. Omeilleo McNeish scored twice with headers off crosses from the wings, extending Chelsea’s tally of goals by head to four over the last seven games—three of them from the 6’3″ McNeish. Hugo Erazo and Elvin Merino rounded out the scoring. The Red Devils’ first conference loss came Tuesday against Lynn Tech, a 1-0 defeat on a penalty kick. With three regular season games left, Chelsea remains in contention for the Commonwealth Athletic Conference title alongside Lynn Tech and Northeast Metro RVT, with the season potentially decided in the finale at home against Northeast. The Red Devils (10-3-1) were set to play at Greater Lowell on Wednesday and host Greater Lawrence on Tuesday.
In girls soccer, the Red Devils hosted Mystic Valley last Thursday in a defensive struggle through the first half. Chelsea broke through early in the second half but had the goal disallowed when officials ruled it an indirect kick touching only one Chelsea player. Mystic Valley then scored three unanswered goals for a 3-0 win. Chelsea performed significantly better Tuesday, defeating Lynn Tech 3-1. Stephanie Medina dominated at midfield while Elsi Cruz scored twice. Kati Romero added a goal, and both Victoria Perez and Cindy Cruz delivered strong goalkeeping. The Red Devils (5-7) face Presentation of Mary Academy today and will see Mystic Valley again on Monday.
Both cross country teams competed in the Commonwealth Athletic Conference meet last Wednesday at Essex Agricultural in Danvers. The boys finished fourth with 112 points, behind Minuteman Tech (93), Mystic Valley (83) and Shawsheen Tech (57). Senior Ugo Cvjetan, running in his final race after an outstanding career, placed fourth overall at 17:53 and earned all-star recognition. Cesar Hernandez also made the all-star team with a tenth-place finish in 18:56. Other notable performances included Santos Hernandez (24th, 19:56), Luis Hernandez (32nd, 20:29) and Brandon Rath (42nd, 21:25). Hector Mendoza (22:14) and Edgar Ocana (22:40) also competed for Chelsea. The girls finished fifth among ten teams with 84 points, trailing Mystic Valley (80), Greater Lowell (79), Shawsheen Tech (63) and Presentation of Mary Academy (62). Suzanne Mixalixen earned all-star honors with a seventh-place finish in 23:51. Four additional runners placed in the top 30: Jesenia Contreras (13th, 24:44), Thien-Ly Che (20th, 25:51), Anelsa Beqo (23rd, 26:00) and Karen Zuluaga (25th, 26:10). Freshman Patricia Guardado (36th, 28:03) and Kadiatu Kamara (37th, 28:14) also contributed strong efforts. Head coach Don Fay commended both squads for their dedication and expressed confidence in their potential for next season, noting that nearly all runners should return. Cvjetan represents the only graduating senior on the boys team, while Zuluaga is the sole senior on the girls team.
