Incredible Defensive Effort Puts Chargers Atop Packers In Regional Semifinals

Varsity Boys Soccer Playoffs: Smithfield Packers vs. Chancellor Chargers

By: Greg Wolfe

Wednesday night featured maybe the closest the Chancellor Chargers (17-3-1) has gotten to a full 80 minutes of great and consistent play since the playoffs started. Thanks to a strong-standing defense and some timely goals by Angel Sierra-Hernandez and Andres Correa, the Chargers were able to overcome the red-hot Smithfield Packers (13-5).

The Chargers for most of the playoffs this year had seen struggles in the first halves of games. They had some problems finding the net, and errors seemed to be plenty as the team looked for it's momentum. Tonight, they threw that thought into the garbage and came out and looked great for the entirety of the game despite one very costly error.

6 minutes into the game, the Chargers struck first and set the tone early. The Chargers had quick feet out of the gate, and were set up with three corner kicks in those first 6 minutes of play. On the third corner kick, Andres Correa placed a perfect shot right at Angel Sierra-Hernandez who was able to knock it in with his head and give the Chargers the 1-0 lead.

The Chargers defense took over from the rest of the first half, extinguishing every one of the Packers' threats. Josh Reid collected 4 first half saves (8 total in the game) to continue to keep his net locked up. Both teams had problems with the slick surface, soaked by a week of rain, which limited the offenses and kept the score to a low 1-0 Charger advantage at halftime.

Coming back out to start the second half, the Chargers showed no shortness of breath. Both teams were ready and in starting pitch positions with still four minutes to relax for halftime, eager to get the game in.

Ruben Niamien, rejoining the team after missing the last 3 games, was a strong and welcome presence to the Chargers offense. He made his way onto the scoring sheet often in the second half. Most notably of all was with 28 minutes left in the game. Niamien had just tossed the ball into play and had the ball back immediately with two Packers in his face, he passed the ball across the field to Andres Correa who was waiting and ready, punching it in and giving the Chargers a 2-0 lead.

The large lead was a huge breath of relaxation for the Charger faithful, and it would stay that way for another 16 minutes until a critical error struck.

The Packers were struggling, looking for any way to break through and score. With 12 minutes left, they were the benefactors of friendly fire by the Chargers. Kwesi Abbar was trying to clear the ball from the net with a header, but accidentally knocked it into his own team's goal making it a 2-1 game.

The Chargers defense was again tasked with handling a large, and threatening Packers offense. The Packers biggest chance came with 21 minutes left, when Matthew Lutz had a very good look at the net alone with the goalie. He took his shot, and Reid made the masterful save jumping high to deflect the shot over the goal and the game remained in Charger control.

It would remain that way for the rest of the game, after the Chargers fought hard and left the field victorious. The Chargers did have another injury scare today, as both Eli Carr and Andres Correa had to leave the field limping. The team has shown all year it has guts, and if these players are unable to return someone will surely step up.

This win seals another trip to the state tournament, as they will play the winner of Jamestown and Midlothian on Friday for the regional championship. The team keeps on storming on, and have their sights set purely on the ultimate goal.

Stat Section

Chancellor Chargers

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Smithfield Packers

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