Published in the May 21, 2019 edition.

By DAN PAWLOWSKI

WAKEFIELD — It was electric from the moment Wakefield marched onto Landrigan Field to a remix that began with David Patrick Kelly from “The Warriors” begging a certain group to come out to play.

Wakefield (7-7) showed no fear against an 11-4 Melrose team who is currently ranked 15th in the state by the Boston
Herald.

The Warriors capitalized on some early momentum with a 3-1 lead but Melrose responded to tie it 4-4 after one.

The Red Raiders clamped down in the second quarter and took a 6-4 lead into halftime.

The Melrose O found their groove in the third, outscoring Wakefield 6-3 in the frame to take a commanding 12-7 lead into the fourth. Wakefield got to within three in the final quarter, but the visitors closed strong for a 16-10 win, snapping Wakefield’s five-game winning streak.

The Warrior offense was led once again by captain Anthony Forziati who scored four goals.

“Forzi” scored his first two on nearly identical routes from left to right in the zone with pump fakes and strong dodges that ultimately resulted in good finishes.

Wakefield took a 4-2 lead with a minute left in the first when Max DiMella found Mike Lucey for a lefty shot from the short right side.

Melrose started a trend that continued all day with a devastating transition goal scored just seven seconds later as the lead was cut to 4-3. The Red Raiders converted on a man up with 12 seconds left to even it after one frame.

Both teams tightened up in the second quarter. It was more a case of the defense taking over than the offense slowing down.

Wakefield’s Mike Petitto hustled for a ground ball and clear, goalie Dan Guarino later made a great save on essentially a one-timer right in front and on the next shot that hit the post, scrambled to keep it out along with Thomas Harrington.

Then Wakefield hit a post of their own which would have tied the game. Instead, Melrose struck again in transition for a 6-4 lead with 43 seconds left in the half.

In the third, Forziati kept the Warriors in it with two goals, operating from behind the net. On his fourth of the game, which cut the lead to 8-6, Forziati deked to one side behind the net, losing sight of the goalie, snuck in on the other side and dove out in front while putting the ball across the line for Wakefield’s goal of the game.

The team’s continued to alternate scores. Lucey cut it to 9-7 on a rip from up top but Melrose closed the third on a 3-0 run including a dagger goal with 14 seconds left.

Jake Regan and Wakefield made one last push making it 12-8 to start the fourth and Lucey made it 12-9 after an efficient offensive possession, but that was the closest the Warriors would get as Melrose again finally broke down the defense as the quarter wore on and finished with a final score of 16-10.

Wakefield’s five-game run did much more than put them back in playoff contention. It was proof that despite a tough start against strong competition, and a difficult coaching change midseason as Andrew Lavalle stepped down, the Warriors were still a team nobody wanted to play.

Wakefield hosts Stoneham today at 4:15 p.m. and travels to Saint John’s Shrewsbury tomorrow before their final game of the season on May 29 against Marblehead at Landrigan Field.