Chelsea High’s boys soccer team won the Commonwealth Athletic Conference’s Division One championship, defeating Northeast Regional Vocational School 3-1 last Thursday and blanking Greater Lowell 3-0 on Monday. Both teams finished tied on points, but Chelsea claimed the title based on their superior head-to-head record across the two matchups. For CHS senior captain Carlos Cruz and both squads, Thursday’s game echoed the previous year’s championship contest, with the league title hanging in the balance just as it had in 2009. Cruz delivered the decisive moment that day as well, scoring all three Red Devil goals. The Red Devils led 2-0 at halftime on Cruz’s first two scores, but Northeast answered midway through the second half, intensifying what was already a competitive matchup. “We were on their home field and they had the momentum and the fans behind them,” said CHS assistant coach Evan Protasowicki. “It was as tense a game as we’ve played all season.” Chelsea regained control when Captain Carlos found the back of the Northeast net approximately 10 minutes remaining, securing the victory. Monday’s finale against Greater Lowell remained critical for clinching the D-1 title, and any possibility of a Lowell upset evaporated quickly. Cruz again played a prominent role offensively, netting two of Chelsea’s three goals, while sophomore midfielder Hilcias Palencia Maldonado contributed the other marker. “We’ve really come together as a team,” said Protasowicki. “A big key to our success has been our defense, which has matured as the season has progressed.” Coach Milt Milutinovic’s Red Devil squad completed the regular season with an 11-1-2 record and a .822 winning percentage, positioning them to receive either a first-round bye or a home game in the Division 1 North Sectional of the state tournament once seedings and pairings are announced.
Boys soccer team wins CAC D-1 title
