EHS Crimson Tide Sports Roundup

By Joe McConnell

Crimson Tide soccer teams closing in on state tournament berths

GIRLS SOCCER

The Everett High School girls soccer team (8-8) defeated Lynn English at home on Oct. 15, 3-0. It was the team’s first shutout this season.

Yelsa Garcia continued her scoring streak off a deflection in front of the net. Freshman Lavina Batista Simon netted goal No. 2 on another scramble in front after an initial corner kick was taken by Sofia Arana-Quintanilla. Gisele Erazo, after receiving a pass from Alondra Flores, then ripped off a shot that zoomed past the Bulldogs keeper.

Emilia Maria-Babcock played the first half in net, before her backups Ashley Heath and Flores split up the goaltending chores in the second half to secure the shutout.

Gabriela Lones Rivera played well throughout the entire game as an outside winger, while Lavina Batista Simon displayed aggressiveness at midfield, according to coach Dom Persuitte.

“The entire defensive backline, consisting of Sofia Arana-Quintanilla, Casey Martinez, Gisele Lemus and Leilany Rodrigues, played solidly,” added Persuitte, “and Rosa Romero made the switch from the center of the field to a wing position in this game, where she worked extremely hard and showed great potential in becoming a (permanent) outside winger after controlling the ball very well, and using the line to her advantage.”

Two days later against host Lynn Classical at Manning Field, the Everett girls lost a heartbreaker, 1-0.

“We played extremely well,” said Persuitte. “We moved the ball (smoothly) from start to finish, and was also able to keep up the intensity and pressure throughout. Every starter played almost the entire game.”

Persuitte singled out Kayla Andrade – one of the few substitutes in this game – for bringing aggressiveness to the pitch.

“It was a tough loss,” said Persuitte. “We all knew we were the better team, but just missed on a few scoring opportunities.

“I credit Lynn Classical,” added Persuitte. “They took advantage of their few opportunities, which just like ours, were few and far between. Games like these hurt, but it’s only going to build character. It also shows that we can go toe-to-toe with any team in the GBL (Greater Boston League).”

Last Saturday at home against non-league Lowell, the Tide bounced back to dominate the Merrimack Valley Conference school to the tune of 6-0.

Garcia continues to rack up goals with three more in this contest. Her first goal was on a beautiful header that was started by Arana-Quintanilla’s corner kick. Kayla Andrade assisted on her third tally after a scramble in front, while the second marker came off a deflection in the 18-yard box.

Andrade also chipped in with a score. “(Andrade) is the best at picking up scrapes in the six-yard box,” said Persuitte.  “There was a deflection, the ball bounced around and Andrade was there for the cleanup.”

Mariana Rodrigues had a picturesque goal on a cross from Garcia from the touchline. Connie Paz Hernandez was also credited with a goal from Lavina Batista Simon, who is having a stellar season, according to the veteran coach.

Maria-Babcock, who made an appearance at midfield to help the team score the final three goals, also did her job expertly in net during the first half of the game.

Flores, as the team’s central defensive midfielder, controlled the play. She also took over in goal in the second half of the game, and proceeded to stop a penalty kick to help secure the shutout for her teammates.

“Casey Martinez at center back and Leilany Rodriguez at right back also added to the offensive attack, while Arana-Quintanilla was indispensable at left back, making play after play,” said Persuitte. “Gabriela Lones Rivera did a solid job at her left-wing position.

“Every player got to see some minutes, which is always good. It’s always tough deciding whether to play your bench players, but today was a good game to do so, and as a result everyone stepped up and got to play. It’s good to see the players, who do not get many minutes, get a chance to play. They are very happy and willing to put in the effort. Overall, it was a great game and a solid win.”

As of Oct. 22, Everett is seeded 45^th in the Division 1 power rankings, and at 8-8 they are in the playoffs right now. But they still had two more regular season games left on the schedule against Somerville (Oct. 22, 10-3-2, 43^rd seed in Division 2) and Beverly (Oct. 24, 6-7-4, 31^st seed in Division 1) after press deadline. They just needed to win one of those two games to officially clinch a postseason berth.

BOYS SOCCER

The Crimson Tide boys soccer team (6-5-4) needs just one more win or two ties in its three remaining regular season games to secure a postseason berth. As of Oct. 22, they were 45^th in the Division 1 power rankings. They took on Somerville (Oct. 22, 9-5-1, 31^st seed in Division 1) and non-league BC High (Oct. 24, 4-5-6, 12^th seed in Division 1) after press deadline, before wrapping up the regular season on the road against non-league Boston International (9-2-3, top seed in Division 5) on Monday, Oct. 28, at 4 p.m.

On Oct. 14, the Everett boys lost a 4-1 decision to Lynn English at Lynn’s Manning Field.

“The Bulldogs, a solid defensive team, showed a lot of improvement since the first time we played them last month,” said first-year coach Rodney Landaverde. That game ended in a 1-1 tie.

The Tide were missing some regulars and as a result struggled as a team, according to Landaverde. “We had to switch some players around, and spread out their playing time to make up for the missing players,” the coach added. “We had a couple of clear chances in the first half, but could not convert until just before halftime when junior Lucas Rabelo-Araujo scored from 25 yards out assisted by Santiago Arredondo. But from that point on, we were unsuccessful in holding onto the ball, and were very individualistic, which is not our strong suit.”

But three days later, they bounced back to beat visiting Lynn Classical at home, 3-1. The home team significantly played better in this game, while knocking the ball around crisply, according to the coach.

The game was tied at halftime, 1-1. Senior Antony Henriquez notched that goal for the locals, setup by sophomore Whitney Pereira, who is a recent JV call-up.

The Tide had more chances to score in the second half. Sophomore Efrain Ramos notched the game-winner on a shot from outside the box. It was assisted by senior Timothy Villanueva. Just a couple of minutes later, senior Luvens Hector provided the insurance tally after taking an amazing through ball from senior captain Kareen Drissi.

Landaverde singled out the contributions of freshman Jonathan Hernandez, and then the rookie head coach said of his rookie player: “He gave the team great energy coming off the bench in this game, and throughout the overall season he has molded really well into our system.”

Last Saturday, however, they were shutout by non-league host Marblehead, 5-0. “It was another difficult game for us to get into a rhythm¸” said Landaverde. “We were missing several players, and as a result many of our young players had to step up and give us solid minutes. They did their best, but unfortunately, we couldn’t contain Marblehead early on, and were down at the half, 3-0.

The Everett coach said that his club was “much more aggressive and dangerous” on offense in the second half, but still couldn’t prevent the shutout. But once again, the good news is that they are closing in on a coveted playoff berth. A combination of one win or two ties in their final three aforementioned regular season games will get the job done.