LYNN– The Tech boys soccer team has seen a fair amount of success playing against Commonwealth Athletic Conference opponents over the past two seasons. This fall, the Tigers are 4-2-2 against conference opponents with victories over Greater Lowell and Minuteman.
The thorn on Tech’s side in CAC play, undoubtedly, has been the Chelsea Red Devils.
“Playing Chelsea is like playing Classical or English,” Tech coach Jeremy McKeen said. “Every season, there’s two or three teams that really challenge us and this is one of those games of the season.”
Tuesday afternoon at Manning Field, the Tigers had their chance to take one from Chelsea. Tech fell into a one-goal deficit in the first half but managed to salvage a 1-1 tie.
“Our midfield figured it out,” McKeen said. “This game was like the Trojan War. They scored in the first five minutes and then we spent 10 years trying to get it back. Then we spent another 10 years trying to get a win instead of a tie. Chelsea’s defense is more solid than anybody’s.”
The game didn’t start out the way Tech had hoped, as the Tigers fell into a 1-0 hole early in the first half. After the defensive lapse that led to Chelsea’s early goal, the Tigers backline stepped up and kept pace with Chelsea’s offense.
“The defense did exactly what it wasn’t supposed to do in the first five minutes of the game,” McKeen said. “But we recovered. Our defense figured it out and we marked up the way we were supposed to. We were more worn down today than any other game because Chelsea’s offense always looks for that knockout goal.”
Struggles on the offensive side kept Tech from tying the game in the first half. The Tigers struggled to generate scoring chances and produce shots on goal. Tech’s Omer Pojoy had the last good look of the half when he raced past the Red Devils defense but his shot was saved.
Down 1-0 at the half, McKeen and the Tigers were forced to make some changes.
“We had to make some adjustments,” McKeen said. “The biggest problem was figuring it out between the left and right midfielders. We were a little tired at halftime but we we were able to figure it out between our midfield.”
The changes paid off as Geo Ramirez tied the game at 1-1 four minutes into the second half. Ramirez worked his way through Chelsea’s defense for a one-on-one before firing a shot into the back of the net.
“Geo’s had three hat tricks this season,” McKeen said. “I told him today to get his fourth but it didn’t happen. Their defense stopped us 15 yards away every time and it was tough to get past it.”
Much like the first half, the second period cooled down after Ramirez scored the equalizer. Chelsea’s best chance to score the winning goal came in the 59th minute when the Red Devils earned a penalty kick. Tech keeper Edin Arreaga, who finished with 12 saves, made the save to squash the opportunity.
Tech’s best opportunity came in the final minute of play when Ramirez found Pojoy open in front of the net. Pojoy had a good look at the net but fired a shot that sailed high over the crossbar.
“We had probably 10-12 shots that were great shots but we just missed them,” McKeen said. “Chelsea’s defense is a tough defense to beat. It was a solid all-around effort and I can’t appreciate my guys enough for that.”
Up next for the Tigers is another CAC contest on Thursday at Greater Lawrence.