(Chelsea Update would like to thank Shawn Hayes for the information in this story.)
Though the weather was terrible, the Chelsea Women’s Soccer Program traveled to both Hartland High School and Spring Arbor University to play hosts, Parma Western last week.
Below is an update:
JV
In about 35 degree rainy conditions last Wednesday night, the Bulldogs traveled to Hartland HS to play the Eagles. Our Junior Varsity team opened with a 1-0 loss. The Eagles caught Chelsea off-guard with an early goal about 2 minutes into the game.
Chelsea’s young team competed hard the remaining 68 minutes but unfortunately were unable to crack a tough Hartland defense. The team played a terrific game, especially for the first one of the season against well known, quality team.
Varsity
The varsity team stepped on the field next and again had a bit of a slow start. Hartland’s two wingers were top notch and caused chaos early in the game. Down 0-2 at the break, Chelsea re-grouped and started the second half with new energy. All we needed to do was hold Hartland and chip away at their lead.
Right from the whistle, Chelsea controlled play putting Hartland under great pressure. Creating zero first half shots, Chelsea shot 7 at Hartland in the second half – several coming in the first 15 minutes of the half.
Chelsea was awarded a corner kick to start the second half and scored from a touch/deflection off Delaney Krause, to make it 2-1.
A few minutes later, Chelsea’s Jesse Jacobusse served a ball into the box from a wide area and a Hartland player slid to stop the ball.
Unfortunately, due to the slippery conditions of the grass field, she slid past the ball and her trailing arm stopped the balls path. A penalty was awarded to Chelsea. The penalty was missed over the goal. It’s easy to lose momentum when something like that occurs in the game.
Fortunately, it didn’t phase the girls, it only made them hungrier. Still fighting and creating chances, Alexa Quintana shook her opponent 1 v 1 and created a nice shot for herself that hit the cross bar down into the back of the net, 2-2.
About 5 minutes later, roughly 20 minutes into the half, Hartland caught Chelsea a bit fatigued and scored making it 3-2. The wheels came off a bit toward the end as Hartland had re-gained momentum and closed the game out to win 5-2 over the Bulldogs.
Last Thursday, it was again rainy but about 10 degrees warmer, and provided new hope for the team. Playing another night game and back to back days to start the season can be a lot to ask.
JV
Playing hosts Parma Western Panthers at Spring Arbor University, Chelsea arrived and new JV coach, Jason Murphy, put his stamp on the program by getting everyone fired up on the bus before we unloaded. Chelsea was ready to rock and put their game faces back on.
The JV team was up first again. Hannah Wyatt opened the scoring for the Bulldogs when she was slipped a through ball behind the back line and got in 1 v 1 with the goalie to slot the shot by her. The Panthers came back and were resilient in the second half of play, tying the game up off a corner kick, 1-1.
The game went back and forth in the second half and the Bulldogs were able to again find Hannah for her second goal of the game. With time running out, Parma got in a dangerous position and forced GK, Helena Schultz, out of her box to try and clear the ball. She missed and the Parma player kicked the ball into the net but not before time ran out. Chelsea walked away the 2-1 winners in a hard fought game by both teams.
Varsity
The varsity team was up next against hosts Western. The game was tied 0-0 at half time. Both teams battled back and forth in the first half but neither were able to break through and score.
After re-grouping, the team, again, came out with new energy to start the second half. Jesse Jacobusse opened the scoring within 10 minutes. Parma, a young team, played a very tough game against the Bulldogs and not having created many chances in the first half put Chelsea under tremendous pressure in the second half.
Many chances were created late in the contest by a committed Parma team. Chelsea’s goalkeeper, Natasha McElrath, helped the team hold the shutout for the Bulldogs. With 5 seconds remaining in the game, a shot was struck toward goal by Jesse. Senior Mary Hermann, noticed the ball was headed toward the Western GK and at the last second deflected the ball to throw her off-guard and into the net.
Parma Western along with Spring Arbor University were terrific hosts. Western, a possible future opponent in the playoffs, showed tremendous sportsmanship while remaining fiercely competitive.
Thanks again for the muffins and good luck this season.
The energy and spirit of all the girls on Thursday night was the real win. To see everyone having so much fun together; chanting, cheering, singing, building human pyramids, etc., was absolutely fantastic to watch and be a part of. All thanks to Coach Murph for his pre-game pump-up. And of course, new addition, Coach Jordan Miller, providing some quality songs and chants for the teams.
It’s going to be a great season for the Chelsea HS Women’s Soccer Program. Come on out to a game – we’d love to see you!
Visit http://www.chelseabulldogs.net/schedules-spring.html for the full schedule.
