By WESLEY HALLMAN / Sports Editor

HOOVER — Chelsea High School boys’ soccer coach Lee Miller expected to face some of the toughest teams in the Birmingham metro area in the Metro soccer tournament.

Miller got his wish as his squad faced powerhouse teams like Vestavia Hills and Altamont in the tournament.

Miller, who led the Hornets to a 6-0 victory over Thompson in the Metro tournament’s bronze division championship match March 26, said Chelsea will benefit from the strong competition.

“We played in a brutal bracket,” Miller said. “For that, we’re going to be a better team.”

Chelsea scored five goals in the second half to clinch the win over Thompson.

Alex Page scored the Hornets’ first goal with just 1:49 remaining in the opening half when Thompson goalkeeper Eric Hubbard came out of the net and mishandled the ball, which allowed Page to fire a shot into an empty net.

Dakota Dresbach, Travis Mitchell and Austin Rikard added one goal each in the second half before Page gave the Hornets a 5-1 lead with 22:33 remaining in the match following his second goal. Jeff Dunkerly capped the scoring for Chelsea.

“It’s good for our guys to get a win at the end of the tournament,” Miller said.