Page 14 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, OCTObER 25, 2024 EHS Crimson Tide Sports Roundup By Joe McConnell Crimson Tide soccer teams closing in on state tournament berths GIRLS SOCCER T he 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 18yard box. Andrade also chipped in with a score. “(Andrade) is the best at picking up scrapes in the sixyard 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 SPORTS | SEE PAGE 15 comeback effort, but remains in the playoff picture Everett, now the 16th Tide football falls to host Brockton in second half seed in the Division 1 power rankings, looks to rebound against Classical tonight at Lynn’s Manning Field By Joe McConnell I t was a tale of two halves last Saturday afternoon in Brockton. The visiting Everett High School football team (2-4) led at halftime, 21-14. But the host Boxers (2-4) rallied to outscore the Tide, 21-0 to win the game, 35-21. With two regular season games left on the schedule for both teams before the playoffs begin on Nov. 8, they both still currently remain in the postseason. Brockton is the 15th seed in the Division 1 power rankings, as of Oct. 22, while the Everett boys are right behind them as the 16th seed. The Tide actually led, 21-7 late in the first half, before Brockton running back Luke Turco changed the complexion of the game with a 70-yard punt return for a touchdown to trim the deficit to just seven at halftime. Turco, a senior running back, also scored two more touchdowns in the game that catapulted his teammates to their first home win of the year. Second-year coach Justin Flores says it’s more of what his team didn’t do in the second half than what Brockton did do in its comeback win. “(Brockton) didn’t do anything differently,” Flores said. “We made critical mistakes and turnovers that cost us the game in the second half. The offense just didn’t execute well enough. We just have to continue to work to fix our mistakes. “We need to continue to work on situational football like in the redzone, on third down and special teams,” added Flores. “I was pleased with the defense. The score shows 35 points, but we let up a punt return for a touchdown, and their last touchdown was after an interception that created a short field. Overall, we played as well as we had all year.” Yariel Ortiz had another huge game for the Tide with nine catches for 131 yards and one touchdown. Manny Santiago and Joao Barreiros accounted for the other two Everett touchdowns. Luca Da Silva successfully kicked all three extra points. But they have since turned the page, because there’s still a matter of staying in the playoffs with two games left on the regular season schedule. The Tide will be taking on host Lynn Classical tonight (Oct. 25) at Lynn’s Manning Field, starting at 7:30 p.m. They will then return home to face visiting Revere next Friday night (Nov. 1) at Everett Memorial Stadium, beginning at 6 p.m. “We still need to hit the threewin bar to make sure we have a chance to be in the playoffs, but by the same token we need to take it one day at a time,” said Flores. On tonight’s game in Lynn, Flores added, “Classical is a wellcoached team that has utilized a varied offense and defense all year, because of injuries.” But again, right now, the Tide occupies the 16th and final spot in the Division 1 playoff picture. With wins over Lynn Classical and Revere, they could move up in the rankings, which would give them a chance to avoid the top divisional teams in the first round. The Top 16 Division 1 clubs are as of Oct. 22: Boston College High (5-0), St. John’s Prep (6-0), Xaverian Brothers (3-3), Springfield Central (5-1), Needham (60), Franklin (5-1), Methuen (5-1), Central Catholic (3-3), Leominster (5-1), Natick (5-1), Weymouth (6-0), Andover (5-1), Westford Academy (4-2), Attleboro (3-3), Brockton (2-4) and Everett (2-4).
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