Crimson Tide Soccer Weekly Updates

Boys capture first win of the year; Girls’ snap losing streak with three straight triumphs

By Joe McConnell

Boys top Malden in GBL home opener under the Stadium lights

The Everett High School boys’ soccer team (1-3-1) recorded its first win of the year against visiting Malden on Sept. 9, 3-1. The Crimson Tide then fell to host Chelsea two days later by the exact same score, before beginning a new week with a close loss to host Revere, 3-2 on Sept. 16.

The game against Malden was the team’s Greater Boston League (GBL) home opener, and it was played under the lights at Everett Veterans Memorial Stadium.

“It was an exciting night to get back under the lights, and face a familiar rival at the same time,” said coach Rodney Landaverde. “We possessed the ball, and were able to find each other frequently (with connecting passes) on the field. We did concede a goal on a corner kick about 20 minutes into the game, but the boys got it back quickly, when freshman Miguel Santos scored after the Malden goalkeeper fumbled the ball.”

After scoring that tying goal, the momentum shifted in Everett’s favor. In the second half, the Tide was much more organized, according to Landaverde, and it led to what turned out to be the game-winning goal by junior Kevin Renderos on a penalty kick.

A short time later, sophomore Saymon Coelho got loose in the box, and was able to net the all-important insurance tally to account for the final score. Everett was able to win this game on the backs of three players, who netted their first varsity goals.

“Throughout the remaining 20 minutes of the game, we controlled the ball, and were able to finish strong to secure our first win of the year,” said Landaverde.

It was now time to take a short trip down the Parkway to Chelsea Stadium to go up against the Red Devils.

“This was a very difficult game for us,” said Landaverde. “From the beginning, we struggled to possess the ball. We could not find each other like we usually do with our passing combinations and midfield rotations.

“Chelsea was able to take advantage of every opportunity to lead at halftime, 3-1,” added the second-year Everett coach.

Junior Whitney Pereira scored the lone Everett goal on a free kick from classmate Kevin Renderos. It was his second career varsity marker.

“We played a bit better in the second half, but still had a tough time putting plays together,” said Landaverde. “We did not play to our strengths, and ended up paying for it.”

After the aforementioned close loss to Revere to begin this week, the Everett boys faced Lynn English on Sept. 17 after press deadline. They then returned home to get ready to play host to non-league Methuen at the Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, starting at 3 p.m.

Girls even record at three

After dropping their first three games of the season, the Everett High School girls soccer team rattled off three straight wins to even its record at 3-3.

Their winning ways began against Chelsea by the narrowest of margins at the Stadium on Sept. 11, 1-0.

Odalis Sandoval slotted a shot by the Chelsea keeper after crashing the net when the ball was loose in front, which created a free-for-all that produced her game-winning goal.

“Overall, the team stepped up and played much better,” said coach Dom Persuitte. “We are getting better with each game, and are now more comfortable playing with one another.”

Goalie Kaylyn Rivera recorded her first career shutout to help secure the victory. “She is making tremendous strides in net,” said Persuitte.

Persuitte singled out Gisele Erazo, whose free kicks were right on point, and of the three she took, two were nearly goals.

Sofia Arana-Quintanilla, Casey Martinez, Kayla Andrea and Liv Simon also played well, according to the veteran Everett coach. “Sofia as a center attacking midfielder and Casey as a center-back, in particular, controlled the flow of this game,” said Persuitte.

Non-league Lawrence then came to the Stadium last Saturday morning (Sept. 13), and by game’s end the home team was able to shutdown the Lancers to the tune of 6-0.

“We started the game slowly, netting only one goal in the first half,” said Persuitte.

Erazo scored the goal off a deflection, but that wasn’t the only marker for her in this game. She notched her second goal on a perfectly-timed cross from Rosa Romero in the second half. She was also credited with an assist against the Lancers on a goal by Johanna Flores, who took Gisele’s free kick in the box and proceeded to knock it home to account for her first score of the season.

“Gisele, who is our free kick specialist, did what she does best, taking a free kick that led to the goal by Flores,” said Persuitte.

A short time later, Connie Paz Hernandez was right on target with a shot, and Arana-Quintanilla, currently the team’s leading scorer, picked it up on the rebound to extend the team’s lead to 4-0.

Persuitte in describing the team’s fifth marker said that Martinez, who never takes time off, finally scored that elusive goal. “She has had a sensational scholastic career as a four-year starter on defense,” said the coach.

Sandoval then set up the final goal of the game with a pass to the six-yard box, where sophomore Norma Chavez, just called up from JVs, was stationed perfectly to pounce on the opportunity that resulted in her first career varsity goal.

Goalies Kaylyn Rivera and Gabriella Menjivar teamed up to earn the shutout with few chances coming their way. But they were there to provide reassurance just in case Lawrance went on the offensive. It was Rivera’s second straight shutout.

“Overall, once the nerves settled down, the team started to play well, and the wins soon followed,” said Persuitte. “I was definitely pleased to end the week with back-to-back shutout wins. Bella Mitrano and Simon stood out in this game against Lawrence, along with Jasmine Morais, another JV callup.”

The Tide started this week off with a 3-2 home win over Revere on Sept. 16 to extend the streak to three games. They were then scheduled to go up against Lynn English two days later (Sept. 18) at 7-Acres, starting at 4:15 p.m. More on these games in next week’s Everett Advocate.