The Chelsea Standard
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Chelsea bows out of tourney
By Don Richter, Sports Editor
PUBLISHED: June 12, 2008
Chelsea's girls' soccer team lost to Portage Northern 5-0 last Saturday in a Division 2 state regional final at Plainwell.
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"Not much to talk about in this one other than it was a very disappointing way to end a fantastic season," said Chelsea coach Chris Orlandi.
The No. 6-ranked Huskies scored at the 29-minute mark of the first half off a free kick.
"Jenna Jarvis (Chelsea keeper) couldn't catch it before it (kick) landed," Orlandi said. "She deflected it forward where a Northern striker was ready to score the game's first goal."
Seven minutes later, Northern increased its advantage to 2-0.
The No. 5-ranked Bulldogs (14-3-4) entered the half still trailing 2-0.
"We talked about raising our level of play at halftime, but it didn't happen," Orlandi said.
The Huskies scored three minutes into the second half, upping their lead to 3-0.
"It was really a shame," Orlandi said. "We hang our hat on defense and we pride ourselves on working our tails off for 80 minutes every game. (Ann Arbor) Huron is one of the best teams in the state. They struggled to score on us and they're in the semifinals of the Division 1 tournament.
"I can't understand how we can give up five goals in this contest. To tell you the truth, I'm not sure where our heads were today. Maybe the postponement affected us (the game was supposed to be played last Friday). Maybe it was the heat. Those are just excuses, though."
Orlandi said he was disappointed for the team, but especially for his seniors.
"We worked so hard all season to get here and then this is our final statement," he said. "I hope the underclassmen learn from this. We shouldn't be happy to have made it this far."
Orlandi said Northern played well.
"Truthfully, though, we could have played our best game and not won here today," he said. "Northern is unbelievably good. They appear to have no weakness.
"Still, Chelsea soccer is better than what we showed today and that's what bothers me. We belong playing in these (games), but you wouldn't know it today."
Though bowing out of the state tournament two wins from a state title, Orlandi said it was a successful year.
"It was a tremendous season all around," he said. "I'm extremely proud of what we accomplished along the way."
On June 3, Chelsea defeated Stevensville-Lakeshore 5-0 in a Division 2 state regional semifinal at Plainwell.
"This was utter domination from start to finish," Orlandi said. "Our team has done a great job picking up its intensity as we've moved through the tournament. Lakeshore was a solid team, stronger than the Eaton Rapids team that we could only beat 3-0.
To begin the game, freshman Anna Rode scored giving the Bulldogs a 1-0 first half lead. Sophomore Cara Johnson picked up an assist on the play.
Chelsea's defense didn't allow a shot in the first half.
Two minutes into the second half, senior Emily Rabbitt scored off an assist from Johnson upping the Bulldog advantage to 2-0.
"I think Lakeshore let down at this point," Orlandi said. "I think they realized that this wouldn't be their night."
Two minutes later, Rode scored her second goal of the game for a 3-0 Chelsea lead.
At the 65-minute mark, senior Stasi Kanellopoulos scored for a 4-0 Bulldog margin. Junior Brooke Ehman recorded an assist on the goal for Chelsea.
With less than two minutes remaining in the game, Julianna Ameel scored for the day's ending tally. Kanellopoulos assisted on the play for the Bulldogs.
The shutout was Chelsea's fourth straight of the postseason.
Sports Editor Don Richter can be reached at 475-1371 or at drichter@heritage.com.
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