Published November 6, 2019
WAKEFIELD — The Wakefield High girls’ soccer team knew they were mathematically eliminated from the tournament after their loss to Div. 3 North favorite Stoneham on Oct. 23, leaving a decision to be made for their final three games: call it a season or finish strong.
The Warriors answered that emphatically, winning the final three games of their season by a combined scoring margin of 16-2 and ultimately ending up just one game out of playoff contention.
“This team was very close this year on and off the field and despite our disappointment of not qualifying we certainly had a lot of fun competing and gained plenty of experience to build off of for next season,” said Wakefield head coach Steph Martin.
THE WARRIOR girls’ soccer seniors helped lead the team to a much improved season. Pictured in the front row from left to right is Winnie Mylan, Lily Smith, Emma Lambiaso, Paige Dube and Sarah Melanson. In the back row from left is Kathryn Kerrigan, Kyleigh Flannigan, Abby Mondello, Lillian Jones and Julia Castellano. (Wakefield Soccer Photo)
Wakefield beat Burlington 5-1 on the road on Oct. 25.
Sophomore Ashlee Purcell went off for four goals to lead the Warriors to victory. Senior Lillian Jones also tallied her first career goal.
Picking up assists for Wakefield was senior Paige Dube (2), senior Kyleigh Flannigan and sophomore Kayli Porter.
The Warriors returned home on Oct. 29 to play Malden.
It was Wakefield’s “Kick’s for Cancer” game. The program raised money in memory of Jennifer McNall, the mother of Rachel McNall a senior on the Warrior volleyball team. Like the volleyball team did on Oct. 21, the girls’ soccer program donated all of their proceeds to Dana-Farber.
Wakefield made sure the night was extra special as they cruised past Malden 7-1.
Dube score two goals to lead the way.
Senior defender Abby Mondello scored her first of the season on a penalty kick.
THE WARRIORS warmed up in their “Team McNall” shirts in honor of Jennifer McNall, as they raised money for their “Kicks for Cancer” game against Malden on Oct. 29. All of the proceeds were donated to Dana-Farber. (Wakefield Athletics Photo)
Jones scored her second goal in as many games and Porter and Courtney Collins also added tallies.
Purcell accounted for one goal and three assists.
Wakefield won their last game of the season 4-0 in Malden.
Purcell had two goals and two assists.
Junior Haley Faulkner had a goal and an assist.
The highlight of the game came from first-year varsity senior Lily Smith.
“You had to be there but it was awesome,” said Martin.
Smith scored her first varsity goal on a one-timer in front of the net off a pass across the 18’ from Purcell.
“The bench went crazy,” said Martin. “It was just an awesome way to end the season.”
ASHLEE PURCELL ended her sophomore season emphatically, accounting for a combined seven goals and five assists during Wakefield’s final three games of 2019. (Dan Pawlowski File Photo)
Overall, Wakefield has the type of competitors who will no doubt be disappointed in falling short of their preseason goal, but the Warriors showed plenty of character and toughness to close the season the right way in the hopes that next year’s team can break through. Wakefield finished 8-10 this year, a big improvement from last year’s 5-10-3 record.
“We improved tremendously this season,” said Martin. “Despite not reaching our goal we know we can compete in this league and we have to have a fast start next year and play 80 minutes of every game. We are losing an amazing senior class, including our whole defensive line and our keeper. Yet there is a lot of talent in our returners and we are excited about that as a group moving forward.”
