Chelsea Boys Lose in 2xOT
By Mary Childs

The sixth seeded Chelsea boys played their first playoff game against United Christian Academy on October 25 and came out with a 4-2 win to move on to the quarter finals.

With home field advantage the Red Devils came into the game ready to play. However it was UCA that scored the opening goal. With Chelsea down 1-0 the offense picked it up a notch. It was not much later that Andrew Richardson sent the ball to the net to tie the game. Both teams continued to play an exciting, evenly matched game. UCA responded quickly to Richardson’s goal and tallied another to give them the lead into halftime 2-1.

The Chelsea boys didn’t give up and came out in the second half ready to play. The Chelsea offense, led by Zeb Allen, Jimmy Welch, Nate Dowlin, Pablo Leon, and Richardson continued to work the UCA defense. Before long Dowlin put his head on the ball and sent it to the net tying the game once again. Both teams continued to pressure the ball but it was Chelsea’s Richardson that would score again giving Chelsea their first lead of the game.

Chelsea continued to control the ball and it was Allen that sealed the game after he knocked the ball past the goalie to give Chelsea the 4-2 win. Chelsea’s defense and keeper Sean McCarthy had a great second half, keeping UCA scoreless.

It was Chelsea’s first play-down win since 2004.

Quarterfinal Loss

The Chelsea Red Devils played a great game Monday, Oct. 30, against the third seeded Sharon Academy despite the wind and the loss. Both teams knew from the beginning that it was going to be a close game but they didn’t know it would take two overtimes to seal the deal.

The Chelsea boys came out to a great start with the wind at their backs. Controlling the ball on offense they had many opportunities to score. Richardson tallied the first goal of the game shortly into the first half giving the Devils the 1-0 advantage. Things were looking good for the Devils as both teams continued to play an aggressive game. The Chelsea defense, led by Jesse Blondin, kept the ball away from the Phoenix offense leading Chelsea into the half with a 1-0 advantage.

In the second half Chelsea faced the wind making it hard for them to find their rhythm. Sharon Academy dominated the second half and had shot after shot but not one had reached the net for keeper Sean McCarthy was there to stop them. With eight minutes left in the game, Sharon made their move and sent the ball to the net. With the game tied 1-1, the contest headed into overtime.

Chelsea had the advantage in the first OT with the wind at their backs. Allen sent the ball towards the goal where Joe Bonasera headed the ball nearly missing the goal. With the wind favoring Sharon in the second OT; it seemed as though the game was over when McCarthy went down and the ball sat at a standstill in front of the net. But fullback Albert Childs cleared the ball before Sharon could strike.

Despite Chelsea’s excellent defense by Blondin, Childs, Jordan Lyford and Nick Capobianco it was Sharon that scored the golden goal at about five minutes into the second overtime to send Sharon to the semi-finals.

Chelsea ended their season on a great run and finished with an 8-8 record.

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