Published August 23, 2019

MELROSE — Three current Melrose Youth Soccer players and four alumni had quite the showing at the Massachusetts District Select Program (DSP) championship weekend that took place on August 3 and 4 in Lancaster. Each DSP District conducts formal tryouts to select players for each of their teams. The program has teams that are divided into seven districts and the competition level is high. Melrose is slotted into the District 5 grouping with surrounding towns from the north shore.

Representing the District 5 2007 girls team was Sophie McElligott (2008). Sophie, playing up a year, helped her team to the finals and brought home a silver medal. Sophie was outstanding throughout the summer tournament, scoring and assisting often while setting the table for her teammates from the midfield slot. Sophie was the lone representative from our Melrose girls program across all age groups and divisions. She will be entering the 6th grade at Melrose Middle School this coming fall.

PATRICK BUGGY, Sophie McElligott and Tyler Lecomte. (Courtesy Photo)

Ali Demo, coach of the girls 2007 select team, had this to say about Sophie, “This is the second season I have had the pleasure of coaching Sophie McElligott for the District Select Program. She is exactly what you look for in a player. She is a natural athlete and very hard working. She knows how to handle criticism and use it to improve her game. If I could have nine Sophie’s on the field I would.”

Tyler Lecomte (2006), a 7th grader at the Melrose Middle School, won a championship and gold medal this past weekend. Tyler represented the 2006 age group for District 5. He played fast and tenacious throughout the summer, scoring multiple goals for his team. The hard work culminated with a championship day on Sunday, August 4. Tyler was the lone representative from Melrose in his age group.

Representing the District 5 2007 Boys team was Patrick Buggy (2007). Patrick got things started by scoring his team’s first goal of championship weekend on a nifty back heel. Patrick helped his team to the finals and brought home a silver medal. He, too, was the lone representative from Melrose in his age group and will be entering the 6th grade at Melrose Middle School this fall.

Stephen Harris, currently Head Coach of Salem High School, has volunteered for several years with the boys select teams. Here is what he had to share about Tyler Lecomte and Patrick Buggy:

“I’ve had the pleasure of coaching several Melrose kids in the District Select Program from Peter and Robert Wiesen, Shea Champagne, Owen Thorsteinsson, and Alex Maher.

LUKAS DRAHOS, Alex Maher, Robert Wiesen and Peter Wiesen. (Courtesy Photo)

Tyler and Patrick are part of that next crop of Melrose kids, hopefully we can get some more in the future.

Tyler and Patrick are great attacking players. Tyler is extremely powerful, athletic, and fast. He had multiple goals, including one in the year end tournament for the 06 team.

Patrick is a crafty, clever attacking player who also had multiple goals in the season, including one in the year end tournament.

Both kids will be successful players for their town, club, and eventually at the high school level.”

Melrose was also well represented for the District 5 u19 Boys team. Sending four Melrose Youth Soccer Alumni to championship weekend. Lukas Drahos, Alex Maher, Robert Wiesen, Peter Wiesen all played valiantly throughout the tournament. The u19’s lost to the eventual champion 2-1 during the pool play round.

Noah Roberts, coach of the u19 Boys team, shared some of his thoughts.

“This summer I was able to have the privilege to coach four young men from Melrose, in Mass Youth Soccer’s District Select Program. The boys, Lukas Drahos, Alex Maher, Peter Wiesen, and Robert Wiesen, were extremely coachable, and made and incredible impact every game.

“Lukas was creative and clinical in-front of the goal, always looking for a way to score with a very attacking mindset, and dribbling ability and eye for goal was a huge asset this summer. Lukas ended the season scoring three goals in his final game.

“Alex Maher was a rock for the team at center back this year, never missing a game and only coming off the field three different time. Alex proved to be a leader in the back and was reliable on every occasion he was tested. His strength and composure with the ball elevated everyone around him.

“Peter was the engine of the team this summer. Peter’s cool head, quick thinking, and physicality, freed up space for fellow teammates to be creative and get into more advanced positions. Peter emerged as a leader on and off the field, through being vocal and his constant work ethic. Peter found himself playing major minutes as a center midfielder and winning everything that came his way.

“Robert, provided a physical creative spark as a center midfielder. His soft touch on the ball and willingness to get forward was a great driving force in the teams attack and became heavily relied on throughout the season as a provider and creator.

“Being a current college player at Eastern Nazarene College, and former coach with Haverhill Youth Soccer, this was a fantastic opportunity for me, and it was always all smiles when being able to work with these fine young men, and I wish them the best for the future endeavors.”