FROM STAFF REPORTS

The Chelsea High School soccer team defeated Sylacauga 5-0 in high school soccer action March 15.

Alli Cochran led the Hornets with two goals in the victory.

Cheyenne Thompson, Britne Holderby and Olivia Bowman scored one goal each for Chelsea.

Madison Gowins and Holderby added one assist each.

Chelsea goalkeeper Ashleigh Niven finished with one save in the shutout.

BOYS

The Sylacauga High School boys’ soccer team snapped a three-game losing streak to Chelsea in a a Class 5A, Section 3 match March 15.

The game was hard fought from the beginning, as is typical in this rivalry. The first 10 minutes saw Sylacauga play several through balls toward the goal looking to get their fowards an early strike. One found an Aggie attacker at the top of the box for a dangerous opportunity, but Chelsea keeper Josh Carpenter came out and did just enough to force the shot high as the ball clanked off the crossbar an was cleared to safety by the Hornets.

Chelsea made some adjustments to try to get leading scorer Will Bevill some chances on goal, and there were some encouraging moments late in the half for Chelsea, but Aggie keeper Eric Frost was up to the challenge. The half ended 0-0.

The second half saw the Chelsea offesne increase its chances as Bevill and Shelton Smith threatened to score several times, but the Aggie defense shut the attackers out.

Finally, as overtime loomed with two and a half minutes left in the game, Sylacauga striker Adolfo Gamino found space on the left flank where he crossed the ball to the back post of the goal and Grant Patton ran onto it and stuck a header into the back of the net.

Sylacauga celebrated what looked like a sure game-winner, but Chelsea took about  20 seconds to pose its greatest threat of the night. Sylacauga was called for a quick foul near midfield and Chelsea keeper, Josh Carpenter sent a long beautiful free-kick right into the Sylacuaga box and Chelsea’s Eric King was there to attempt a re-direct goal, but the Aggie back line was able to block the attempt and clear the ball to safety and preserve the win.

“We have some good young players who are going to be great players for us, but they didn’t really understand what this rivalry was like, how hard it is to score and make plays, and how intense things are,” said Chelsea coach Lee Miller. I think we were nervous, and we played uptight like inexperienced teams do. We probably grew up a lot tonight, and we’ll end up being better for the lesson. I told the guys to hold their heads up and come ready to work for the rest of the season. It’s time to learn to fight through adversity.”