Twin varsity victories cap off a historic night
Published October 2, 2019
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The Melrose boys and girls Red Raider soccer teams took part in the first annual Soccer Night in Melrose on Friday, Sept. 27 at Fred Green Field in a collaborative effort with Melrose Youth Soccer and the Melrose High soccer booster clubs.
It was a smashing success.
An estimated crowd of 1,000 fans of all ages joined in the festivities which included games, prizes, music, an appearance by the New England Revolution Squad and its mascot “Slyde.” To top it off, both the boys and girls varsity teams competed (and won) in front of a packed house that cheered them to victory.
Melrose Mayor Gail Infurna led things off with a rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner on trumpet, while Nellie Jordow offered a chill-inducing version of the Star-Spangled Banner during game two. A cursory look at the bleachers hinted that the crowd rivaled a Thanksgiving football one, making it possibly the most well-attended home soccer event at MHS.
SOME OF Melrose’s youngest soccer athletes helped usher Melrose Red Raider soccer players on to the field prior to the start of Soccer Night in Melrose last Friday evening. (Jane Wiesen photo)
Melrose Youth Soccer players got a treat by escorting Melrose and Burlington players on to the field at the start of the game. The event was free to the public and so well attended that, no doubt, it will be an annual tradition in Melrose.
Boy’s game recap: Melrose, 3 v. Burlington, 0.
The MHS boy’s game kicked off at 6:00 p.m. and Melrose prevailed over Burlington in a 3-0 shutout that kept fans cheering. Starting for Melrose was goalie Cam McDonough, captain Rob Wiesen, Furio Forconi, Sohaib Drif, Tom Bergin, John Lecomte, Redouane Drif, Tarekegn O’Neill, Liam O’Hara, Parker Thornton and Jack O’Hara.
The Red Raiders came out of the gate dominating possession. A quick shot attempt by Takekegn O’Neill kept the Red Devils on their feet while Burlington’s Juan Pacheco Sambrano nearly found the net, but it soared just over the crossbars and Melrose was safe for the first five minutes of the game. Melrose’s John Lecomte and Rob Wiesen also nearly scored but Burlington goalie made solid blocks.
Melrose’s Parker Thorton scored first for Melrose at 14:03 with an assist by Jacobus Overgaag to give Melrose a 1-0 edge. Red Raider defense was lights out thanks to the work of Sohaib Drif, Liam O’Hara, Tom Bergin and Christian Carrieri, who helped thwart any offensive drive by Burlington. At the net, goalie Cam McDonough saved a quality shot to maintain the shutout.
IT WAS a night to remember for the Melrose Red Raider soccer players and their fans as Fred Green Field was host to the first annual Soccer Night in Melrose. (Jane Wiesen photo)
Senior captain Rob Wiesen scored Melrose’s second goal on an assist by Parker Thorton after the half. Melrose held a 2-0 lead when the duo struck again, just a minute into the second half. Thorton hit a shot in the net on an assist by Wiesen to lift Melrose to an ultimate score of 3-0. Melrose defense, including the work of Seamus Matthews, Brendan Ingalls and Matt Whelan helped preserve the shutout in the later portion of the game.
Girls’ game recap: Melrose, 4 v. Burlington, 0.
The Melrose High girls soccer team is 4-4 after riding a three-game winning streak. The Lady Raiders picked up key Freedom League wins over Watertown and Wakefield last week and on Friday beat Burlington, 4-0, during Soccer Night. With three consecutive league wins, Melrose is now a team to beat in the Middlesex Freedom.
A thousand fans got to see Melrose sweep the Burlington Red Devils under the lights of Fred Green Field on Friday and goalie Jocelyn Skane secure a 4-0 shutout. Joining Skane as starters for Melrose was Sheilah Downes, Alyssa Champagne, Emma Lynch Galvin, Katie Wright, Olivia Scarpa, Ava Palumbo, Ella Flemming, Andrea Mortimer, Ciara Smith and Jenna Champagne.
After being introduced to the field by members of the Melrose Youth Soccer league, the varsity girls got right to business, scoring their first goal just minutes into the game when Ciara Smith found the net on an assist by Lauren Carlino. Carlino followed that with her own goal to make it a 2-0 game. Before halftime, Melrose saw Maggie Sullivan score on an assist by Andrea Mortimer and Olivia Scarpa wrapped it up with a goal to make it, 4-0.
“Burlington is a young team,” said coach Rob Mahoney after the game. “And our girls were a little nervous coming out the gate, but once they scored that first goal, things went smoothly.”
At the net, Jocelyn Skane picked up her second shutout of the year. “Jocelyn played great and she was supported on defense by Jenna Champagne and Katie Wright. Their defense has been very consistent,” said the coach.
The win comes on the heels for their 2-1 victory over Wakefield last week. Finding the net for Melrose with some well-timed scores was Lauren Carlino and Grace Donahue. “Wakefield is always a tough game because there is a great rivalry and the girls are always excited to play,” says Mahoney.
One thing Melrose doesn’t have to worry about is a variety of scoring. On any given day, any Melrose attacker can be counted on finding the net. Having that offensive depth is one of the reasons Melrose is putting wins on the board, including quality Freedom League wins. Confirms the coach, “We have nine different scorers, a kind of depth that makes games interesting.”
That includes leading scorer Olivia Scarpa (4 goals) and recent top scorers Maggie Sullivan and Lauren Carlino. Continues Mahoney, “I think what we are seeing this season is the result of some of the work we put in last season. You see their confidence and that puts more wins in the column.”
Upcoming games:
Girls:
Friday, Oct. 4 @ Reading, 4
Monday, Oct. 7 v. Winchester, 7 (Senior Night)
Boys:
Friday, Oct. 4 v. Reading, 4
Monday, Oct. 7 @ Winchester, 4
