The Lynn Classical girl’s soccer team defeated the Chelsea Red Devils on Monday by a score of 7-0 at a chilly Manning Field in Lynn.
Ava Thurman led the way for the Green and Yellow, scoring two goals and leading the offense through her dual-threat ability to shoot and facilitate.
The game’s first tally came courtesy of Thurman on a two on zero breakaway. She looked for a pass, then took a shot that snuck past a helpless Katie Arias in net.
A beautiful lead pass started the play, and the theme of the game – especially in the first half – was the chemistry between the Rams’ forwards.
“I think we haven’t worked out well in a while, passing wise, so I think no matter the score, passing and everything was just so much better than it has been,” Thurman said. “And I just think with that ball movement, everything should come with ease.” Thurman said.
Moments later, she nearly connected on a play that, had it gone in, would’ve qualified for the highlight reel. She aired the ball to herself on the right side of the field before getting a shot off, but Arias covered the bottom right corner to keep things 1-0.
Mea Papazoglou found twine a few minutes later to double the score – receiving a centering pass and blooping the ball over the goaltender off-balance.
Then, the game was back in Thurman’s control. She passed the ball around a defender, to herself, leaving just her and the tender. After an extra touch to get Arias out of position, she softly rolled the ball in to give Classical a 3-0 advantage early.
Gianna Parker provided early momentum in the game’s opening minutes by tracking down loose balls and positioning well against Chelsea defenders. For the team’s fourth entry to the scorer’s sheet, she’d find twine by dancing through the defense and sneaking one past Arias who got a hand on the ball before seeing it roll past her.
Despite the goals allowed on tough Rams shots, Arias made several strong saves – none better than a diving, left-handed save on a Classical attempt towards the end of the half. This kept the game at 4-0.
Hearing the sound of the ball hitting the post can either be devastating, or glorious, depending on the situation. In Papazoglou’s case, it was the latter as she shot a ball with her left cleat that binged off the crossbar and into the net – extending the lead to five before halftime.
To open the second half, Classical picked up where they left off. Lauren Wilson – the team’s goaltender – got a chance to play on the other side of the field. Better yet, she scored a goal, receiving the ball right in front of the net and tapping it in off-balance.
The game’s final goal came courtesy of Delaney Dana after the goaltender went to intercept a ball, missed off her fingertips, and let the ball get behind her. Dana cleaned things up, putting a bow on a phenomenal offensive display by the Rams.
“We really just come together as a team,” said Head Coach Jessica Gambale. “I couldn’t ask for a better group of girls to be coaching my first year as a head coach.”
Her first year has gone quite well, with the team most recently on a five-game winning streak against Somerville, Malden, Salem Academy Charter, Everett, and now Chelsea.
Next on the schedule is a team they tied earlier in the season: the Patriots of Revere (4-4-2). The game is this Thursday, Oct. 8 at 5:30 p.m. with the setting once again being Manning Field.
“We need to lock down on defense and put some more goals in the back of the net hopefully this time, but they’re a good team,” Gambale said.
Joey Barrett can be reached at [email protected]
