The Chattanooga Prep Sentinels played Silverdale Baptist Academy Seahawks Tuesday in a seat clinching soccer game that ended with a score of 2-1 in favor of the Sentinels. Silverdale came into the game at home with a record of 1-1, while Chattanooga Prep had a record of 2-0 on the season.
The game seemed to favor Silverdale with home field advantage and the long history their team has. Chatt Prep is in only their second year with a varsity soccer team. Both teams were even in height and skill. They both were physically able to hold their own. The game truly came down to who had the better attacking plan.
The game kicked off with the Sentinels in possession. However, that did not stop Silverdale from scoring in first two minutes. The Sentinels started off rocky on defense with mistake after mistake which led to losing the ball right outside the box. The first goal came from Talan Butterworth.
It looked like Silverdale might run away with the score after how quickly they took control of the game. Unfortunately for them, there was a whole game ahead of them, or more realistically the next five minutes which is all Chattanooga needed to score two goals. The Sentinels couldn’t seem to find their offense until out of nowhere Gustavo Bravo Mendez hit a screamer from midfield. The outside midfielder won the ball and, without hesitation, took the shot from at least forty yards out. The ball sank over the keeper’s hands into the top corner.
The second goal came from Chatt Prep’s Emmanuel Perez in the eighth minute. The ball was played into box off a free kick. It bounced around until the keeper was able to fall on top of it. The keeper lost control of the ball and it landed right at the Sentinels feet for them to score. It was an unfortunate mistake by the keeper in a crowded and hectic situation.
After this the momentum went with the Sentinels and stayed with them the rest of the night. They were able to keep possession and move the ball seamlessly. Their wingers were finding space, and their speed gave them multiple opportunities in the box. The Sentinels attacking midfielder Andres Lucas showed out in his ability to transition the ball on offense. He has extreme talent in his ball control and his vision to evade defenders.
This allowed them to keep the lead despite not being able to score another goal before the final whistle. Silverdale defense had things figured out and kept it locked down in the box. Unfortunately, their offense couldn’t find the net to level the score.
The Sentinels head coach Carlos De La Cerda spoke after the game about his team, the win, and their improvement in just their second season, saying, “They are not the same team that they were last year, and it is clearly shown as they are building momentum. I think them coming back from that 1-0 mistake start and then for the most part controlling the game as far as in attack and in transition, it gives us momentum as we have the Cleveland tournament, which will be the real test.”
Coach De La Cerda is excited to see his team progress this season. He understands that there is not a lot of high expectations in just their second season. Yet, he pushes his team to try to be one of the best teams in Chattanooga and he believes they are off to a great start.
Game Summary
Chattanooga Prep 2 0 --2
Silverdale Academy 1 0 --1
Goal Scorers:
Chattanooga Prep - Gustavo Bravo Mendez, Emmanuel Perez; Silverdale - Talan Butterworth
(Email Alex McElyea at alexmcelyea26@gmail.com)