Soccer: Boys Remain Undefeated After Battle With Lexington; Girls Fall by Four

Senior forward Michael Chertkov's nifty goal with nine-minutes left in the first half allowed Belmont High School Boys' Soccer to knot up a strong Lexington High School eleven, 1-1, on Thursday, Sept. 26.

The comeback tie allowed Belmont (5-0-2) to remain undefeated and atop the Middlesex League Liberty Division. 

But it wasn't easy. For much of the game, Belmont found it hard to contain a quick and at times physical Minuteman side. Lexington (3-1-4) used that speed to score the first goal of the game at the 14-minute mark of the first half after a series of passes left Belmont trailing.

It took a wonderful solo effort by Chertkov to tie the score. The senior took a 50/50 ball on the right sideline near the midfield stripe and out sprinted a Minuteman defender. After cutting to the center, Chertkov floated a shot on a tight angle that ended into the left side of the net. 

Both teams missed great chances to take the lead as Belmont junior goalie Peter Berens made a series of saves. But it was Chertkov who had the best chance in the second half. With 29 minutes remaining in the game, Chertkov reached a searching pass and nudged it by the oncoming goalie to have a wide open goal mouth before him. But a shot that was more careful then powerful was swept off the goal line by a recovering defender. 

Next up for Belmont's Boys' will by always difficult Winchester away on Monday, Sept. 30.

Belmont Girls' Soccer fall by four to Minutemen

Despite a strong first half which ended scoreless, the Belmont High School Girls Soccer team suffered its second defeat in as many games falling to host Lexington High School, 4-0, on Thursday, Sept. 26.

The Marauders currently sports a 2-2-3 record as they face Winchester at Belmont on Monday, Sept. 30.