Crimson Tide Weekly Sports Roundup

By Joe McConnell

Girls soccer maintains winning record in GBL

The Everett High School girls soccer team (3-2 in the Greater Boston League, 3-4 overall) experienced a split decision last week, first losing to Revere by the narrowest of margins, 3-2 on Sept. 17, before returning quickly to the win column two days later with a convincing victory over Lynn English, 6-1. Both games were on the road.

“It was a very hard-fought game against Revere, with both teams going toe-to-toe,” said coach Dom Persuitte

The Crimson Tide scored first on a goal by Marianna Rodrigues, who stepped in for an injured player. It was her first goal of the season. Yelsa Garcia was credited with an assist on the play.

“Even though, Garcia did not get any goals, she was our playmaker in this game. She also setup Gisele Erazo for her first goal of the season,” Persuitte said.

“On that goal by Erazo, Garcia took the ball down the line blowing past a few defenders, before crossing it to Erazo, who crashed the net to finish off the scoring play,” added the veteran Everett coach.

Alondra Flores was singled out by the coach for holding down the defensive middle of the field.   “Her vision and ability to read the field just made her unstoppable,” said Persuitte.

Emilia Maria-Babcock once again played lights out in net, according to Persuitte. “Her tireless effort and unmatched ability in goal is keeping this team in every contest,” he said. “Overall, it was such a great team performance against Revere, in particular captain Casey Martinez played solidly from her center-back position to keep the defensive line in check.”

The offense was then on fire against the Bulldogs. Garcia and Flores paced the offensive attack with three and two goals, respectively.

Maria-Babcock took a regular position up front in the second half after another stellar performance in net. For her efforts, she also tacked on a goal.

Garcia’s final goal of the game utilized her knowledge of the game by dribbling past the Lynn English defense twice, before capitalizing on a deflection off a defender. Both goals by Flores came off set plays, where she popped the ball over the keeper’s head each time. Alondra’s second goal got its start on a corner kick by Sofia Arana-Quintanilla, who moved up to midfield from her customary defensive spot.

Martinez played another solid game, with the coach specifically singling out her communication skills, citing that it’s something every coach demands from their players.

Persuitte said that the team got off to a rocky start in the first half against the Bulldogs, and it took about 32 minutes to get everything into gear. But once they did, they were firing on all cylinders.

The Everett girls took on Lynn Classical (Sept. 24) and Somerville (Sept. 26) this week at home after press deadline. Heading into these games, Persuitte said that both opponents are very tough, but beatable.

Boys soccer remains unbeaten after two ties

It was a week of competitive games on the pitch, and the Everett High School boys soccer team (3-0-3) stood up to the task by tying GBL rivals Revere (2-2, Sept. 17) and Lynn English (1-1, Sept. 19) at home.

First-year Everett coach Rodney Landaverde said that Revere was the preseason favorite to dominate the league, and so he has few complaints with his team’s efforts.

“We played very well against Revere, and in the second half of that game we dominated possession,” said Landaverde, “even though we gave up a last-minute goal on a set play.”

Landaverde credits senior Luvens Hector for his fine play all over the pitch. Center-backs Bryan Ribeiro and Efrain Ramos did their job on the back line. Their efforts limited Revere’s attacking players to very few scoring chances.

Captain Gabriel Garcia scored a goal for Everett on a penalty kick late in the first half. Senior Henrique Pinto then notched his first goal of the season off a corner kick.

The game against the Rams two days later was anything but fast-paced. “It was a very slow game overall,” said Landaverde. “We didn’t generate many scoring chances. We struggled to possess the ball, and on a couple of occasions were left vulnerable when we lost the ball at midfield.”

Garcia accounted for the Everett goal on a header in the box assisted by Hector. It gave their teammates a short-lived lead, before the Bulldogs tied it just five minutes later in the second half.

“We could have had two wins, but small mental mistakes have cost us so far this season,” said Landaverde. “But the boys remain optimistic, and as a coaching staff we feel they are starting to get in a smooth groove of playing with each other day in and day out. We continue to see progress with our training principles that will help us put more goals in the back of the net.”

On Monday, Sept. 23, the Tide edged Lynn Classical under the lights at Lynn’s Manning Field, 3-2. More on this game in next Friday’s Everett Advocate.  They were at Somerville to take on the Highlanders yesterday (Sept. 26) after press deadline. They will be back home at 7-Acres next week to face Medford on Tuesday (Oct. 1) and Malden two days later (Oct. 3). Both games will begin at 4:15 p.m.

Tide fall sports scorecard

The field hockey team is off to a 3-1 start with shutout wins over Greater Lowell (3-0), Haverhill (2-0) and Northeast Voke (7-0) after losing the opener to Hamilton-Wenham (3-1). They will be going up against host Revere later today (Sept. 27) at Harry Della Russo Stadium, beginning at 4 p.m.

The volleyball team (1-6) won its first match of the year on Monday against host Saugus, 3-0.   The Everett golfers are 1-4 after five matches. Their lone win was against Malden in the season opener at Stoneham earlier this month, 28-44.

The boys cross-country team is 2-0 after beating Lynn Classical (24-31, Sept. 11) and Lynn English (21-40, Sept. 16). The girls lost to Lynn Classical in their only meet to date at 7-Acres on Sept. 11, 15-40.