FROM STAFF REPORTS

Following a 12-day lay off due to weather cancellations, the fifth-ranked Chelsea High School boys’ soccer team finally hit the pitch again in a 3-0 win over Calera in high school soccer action March 8.

The first 20 minutes of the game was a bit sloppy and disorganized by both sides, as neither team held much possession and neither team created great opportunities.

However, as the half wore on, Chelsea began to create better opportunities and began to challenge Calera keeper Jescan Sanchez. Finally, Chelsea broke through when freshman midfielder Josh Bartlett won a challenge on the right side of the box and delivered a cross to the back left post, with forward Will Bevill there to punch in the game’s opening goal.

Minutes later, Chelsea found the back of the net again as Cody Hood drove a corner kick into the box and midfielder Shelton Smith gathered it and punched it into the left side of the goal.

Chelsea carried the 2-0 lead into halftime.

The second half continued like the end of the first as Chelsea created more great opportunities, but Sanchez was able to make several diving saves as Calera kept hope for a comeback alive. Calera also got help from the goal itself, as Chelsea hit several shots off the post to deny a third goal.

Finally, with about 18 minutes remaining, Chelsea’s Taylor Martindale got into the box and hit a left-footed shot that Sanchez saved, knocking it back to Smith, who shot it back to the left corner of the goal where it was blocked by a Calera defender’s arm. The play was ruled illegal touching and the official awarded the penalty kick. Bevill drove the penalty into the left side of the goal past an outstretched Sanchez for the Hornets’ final goal.

The Chelsea defense was solid as they shut down all of Calera’s potential opportunities, and goalkeeper Josh Carpenter kept the clean sheet by recording another shutout.

Sanchez finished the night with eight saves for Calera.