Boys soccer: Classical hopes past is prologue

The Classical boys soccer team finds itself in a familiar spot in the Division 2 North MIAA State Tournament. No.13 seeded Classical (10-7-1) is matched up against No.4 seeded Chelsea, which is the same first round match-up from last year. Classical got the better of Chelsea in that game, and hopes there will be no changes to that script.”Chelsea is a tough team, and we know they will be looking to avenge their lost from last year,” Rams coach Rob Upton said. “It’s going to be tough to win at Chelsea, but if we can have our guys do their jobs, stay together as a team, and control the tempo of the game, we will be in great shape. I like the style of soccer we have been playing late in the season, which makes us all feel confident about moving on in this tournament.”The Rams will be leaning on two Eastern Mass. All-stars to patrol the midfield in Karegeya Nasibu and Abitalin Girdia.Classical will also be leaning on its four-year goalie Strati Saranteas.”We are looking for these three guys to set the tone against Chelsea,” Upton said.Classical travels to Chelsea on Monday at 6:00 p.m.DIVISION 4 NORTHNo.5 Lynnfield vs. mNo.11 MarianThe Pioneers (10-2-6) had a dramatic improvement from this year to last year, as Lynnfield only mustered three wins in 2013.”This group played solid all season long, and are coming into the states as confident as can be,” Lynnfield coach Brent Munroe said. “Happy to be back in the tourney, and I feel if we play our game, we are good enough to beat anyone.”The Pioneers will be leaning on their four Cape Ann League All-Stars in Tommy Carney, Nathan Huebschmann, Sam Heubschmann and Ethan Forrest.Lynnfield hosts Boston International Thursday at 3:30 p.m.DIVISION 1 NORTHNo.3 Peabody vs. No.14 EverettPeabody (15-1-2) is well aware of what kind of problems Everett can bring to the field on any given day.”The Greater Boston League is a tough conference, and Everett will be well prepared to play in this type of atmosphere,” Peabody coach Stan McKeen said. “We have to play our game, keep the ball moving, and not become stagnant. We are a very good team when we move the ball, and that is what we have to do if we want to make a deep run.”The Tanners have 15 seniors on the roster, and will be leaning on their four senior captains in: Ben Manoogian; Joao Carrera, Christian Morales and Connor Wolff.”We had a very successful year, winning the NEC Large,” McKeen said. “Our goal all year was to make a deep run in the states, and that is what we intend to do.”Peabody hosts Everett Monday at 7:00 p.m.No.4 St. Johns vs. No.13 RevereRevere lost last year in the first round to Lexington, but feels that experience will help against St. John’s”St. John’s is always a strong team, but I am confident we can compete with them for 80 minutes,” Revere coach Abdel Rhazi said.Revere will travel to St. John’s Monday at 2:00