Enjoys 3 straight shutouts at midseason

MELROSE CELEBRATES after their lone goal was enough to beat rival Stoneham on Monday, Sept. 23 on the road. (photo by Raj Das edphotos.com)

By JENNIFER GENTILE

MELROSE—The Melrose High boy’s soccer team is finding their footing in the last two weeks, winners of two straight games and three straight shutouts against Freedom rivals that has them unbeaten in 13 days and a strong 2-1-1 in the Freedom League as their midseason approaches. 

“Right now, we are definitely coming together,” says Melrose head coach Dean Serino.  “This team understands that there is no day off. They are playing physical, and with each win they’re starting to believe in themselves, and it shows in their play on the field.” 

Melrose battled to a scoreless tie against Burlington on Sept. 17, a shutout courtesy of Matteo Giovanardi, and they later beat Wilmington and Stoneham this week. 

Against the Wilmington Wildcats, Melrose enjoyed a strong offensive output in their 3-0 win on Sept. 19 and a 1-0 defensive gem against Stoneham on Monday. 

Three attackers found the net for Melrose in their 3-0 win over Wilmington. Aiden Murphy, Aidan Barber and Sirak Araia scored for Melrose with assists by Owen Mujalli, Malek Sayegh and Aidan Murphy. 

“We were 1-0 at the half and in the second half had tons of scoring opportunities,” says Merino. “I thought we played well on a grass field and our back did good out there. We had tons of opportunity and, in situations like this, we would like to capitalize and might strike a little earlier.” 

Melrose would fight to a defensive gem against Stoneham on Monday when they traveled to Stoneham High on Monday and picked up a convincing 1-0 win behind the sole goal from senior Owen Brodeur. It was a triumphant return from the injured player who made up for lost time with the only goal of the game. 

Goalie Matteo Giovanardi once again earned the shutout at the net. 

“Having Owen return and score for us really showed what an experienced player he is,” said Serino. “Stoneham is a quality team, they are young and they definitely have a bright future. They were tough to beat but we just played a good defensive game. Defensive has really been our strong point all season and I think this was a good example.”

He pointed to defensive efforts from Dan Mueller, Owen Mujalli, Owen Erelli, and Brendan Radzik helping out the flawless effort from Giovarnadi at the net. “We are fortunate to have Matteo in the net, but also Owen Brown, who I can’t say enough about. Personally, I think these are the two best goalies in the league.” 

He may be right given the three straight shutouts, an effort he’d like to see duplicated as they continue their ML Freedom Play this week. On Wednesday (post deadline) they take on Watertown at home and they will see a return to Large play against Lexington this Friday night at home at 6:30 p.m. under the lights of Fred Green Field. 

Editors note: the team has shared at their JVA team came up victorious against Wilmington in a 3-0 win with goals from Quinn Cantin, Henry Rahilly and Dan Jimenez. And against Stoneham, they won 5-0 with goals from Nathan Rosenburg (2) Quinn Cantin, Alec Truesale, Cameron Orlandella.