Wednesday afternoon, the Chelsea High boys soccer team will begin its 2013 campaign at the Stadium, facing Commonwealth Athletic Conference opponent Minuteman Regional. The match is scheduled to kick off at 3:45.
Coach Mick Milutinovic’s Red Devil squad enters the season with considerable optimism. The team boasts numerous returning players from last year’s CAC championship team, and enrollment numbers are at their highest in years, providing substantial depth to the roster.
“We have a lot of boys who came out for the team,” stated assistant coach Evan Protasowicki. “It’s been a tough job to select a varsity roster and we’re still working on the final selections. But for the first time in many years, we’ll be able to field a junior varsity squad.”
Leading the Red Devils are senior captains Luis Cruz and Jaime Barahona. Last year’s top goal scorer in the CAC, Cruz is expected to deliver another outstanding season. Barahona, a four-year varsity player who lined the backfield in 2012, has been repositioned to midfield by Milutinovic for the coming year. “We’re looking to both Luis and Jaime for leadership both on and off the field,” Protasowicki remarked.
The Red Devils will also rely on senior Michael Kottu, an outside midfielder and one of the team’s leading scorers in 2012; junior center midfielder Wilbur Tejada, who emerged as a key contributor last year; and senior defenseman Josue Ramirez, who anchors the defensive unit.
Sophomore Jose Ortiz appears positioned to claim the starting goalkeeper role, succeeding two-year starter Junior Rivera.
“It’s been really nice to have a plethora of both numbers and talent,” Protasowicki stated. “It’s will be great to field a JV team and we’re looking forward to another strong season.”
Randy Grajal will coach the JV team.
Following Wednesday’s Minuteman matchup, Chelsea will host cross-Parkway Division 1 rival Everett on Thursday afternoon in a non-league contest at the Stadium, with kickoff at 4:00.
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Football team shows promise
in tri-scrimmage competition
Friday evening at Boston English, the Chelsea High football team demonstrated multiple positive developments during its pre-season tri-scrimmage against Boston English and Marian of Framingham.
“The scrimmage went well,” head coach Mike Stellato said. “We did a lot of situational work on both offense and defense and overall it was a very positive outing for us.”
Stellato again highlighted the performance of junior quarterback Mark Anthony Williams, who delivered another strong pre-season showing. Junior wide receiver Kalvin Duran and junior running back Yvad Rosado also drew the coach’s commendation.
Defensively, senior defensive end Jose Martinez, senior tackle Luis Valles, junior tackle Adrial Rodriguez, and junior defensive back Elyer Lobo all received praise from their coach.
The tri-scrimmage concluded the Red Devils’ pre-season preparation. Chelsea now prepares for the 2013 regular season, which begins Friday, September 13 under the lights at Chelsea Stadium against St. Joseph’s of Newton. The season opener will feature a dedication of the Stadium press box to the late Arnie Goodman, longtime Voice of the Red Devils. Players will wear special “AG” decals on their helmets for this tribute.