The Chief Sealth boys varsity soccer team had an undefeated season (10-0 in conference) going into last week’s spring break, likely making a few fans nervous that some downtime could break the streak.

April 24, back from a well-deserved hiatus, the Seahawks kept it alive by beating Ingraham 2-0 in a home game.

Coach Ron Johnson said his team practiced over the break to keep their game at top notch, and it paid off, although Tuesday’s victory was tough fought in a close match hardly reminiscent of their convincing 5-1 win over Ingraham on March 23.

Sealth took the lead 12 minutes in with a thundering volley from Brandon Rosario (assisted by Simon Crean).

The rest of the first half was a contested affair with the Ingraham attack putting pressure on goalkeeper Kristian Nilssen.

In the second half Chief Sealth created good opportunities off corner kicks that fell into the mass of humanity gathered inside the 18-yard box, but were unable to capitalize. In one instance, Ingraham’s goalie came off his line in hopes of clearing an incoming cross, only to have a Seahawk get a shot on goal that was saved by a defender who smartly protected the goalie-less line.

A bit of breathing room finally came in the 58th minute as Abel Madrigal found the net (off an assist by Antonio Garcia).

Madrigal found himself with the ball bouncing at his feet at the 18-yard line, facing away from goal with a wall of Ingraham defenders at his back. Instead of turning into trouble he cocked his boot back and flicked it towards goal, looping a slow but determined ball just out of the Ingraham keeper’s reach and barely under the crossbar.

Sealth’s Luis Ramirez took over as goalkeeper in the second half and produced a few clutch glove saves, combined with solid defensive backtracking from Seahawk defenders to keep the shutout intact.

Chief Sealth remains the clear leaders of Metro with a record of 11-0 and three games remaining, including an important matchup against Bainbridge on Friday, April 27, 6 p.m., at home.

Bainbridge is atop the Metro Mountain Division (Sealth leads Metro Sound), and The Seattle Times state rankings have Bainbridge at #2 and Sealth at #4. A win on Friday could make for a significant Seahawk's ranking jump.