WAKEFIELD — The Middlesex League’s boys’ soccer coaches met recently to vote on All-Stars for the 2021 season.
Wakefield had three players named as All-Stars: senior Braden Carroll, junior Nadeem Rizk and junior Ethan Margolis.
Carroll, a captain, was one of the leaders of the Warrior midfield in his final season.
“He was one of the key players for the team making the tournament,” said head coach Ilir Ujkaj. “Definitely one of the best holding mids in the Middlesex League this season. Braden was able to display defensive and attacking skills…strong header, unbeatable one v. one and he held the keys to our midfield.”
Rizk, a forward, led the team with nine goals even while missing five games due to injury. The junior earned a spot on the All-Conference team as one of the best 11 players in the league.
“Nemo is the one of the most talented players Wakefield HS has had during the last 4 years,” said Ujkaj. “His dad was a pro soccer player in Egypt so the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. He’s a modern attacking wing with super finesse technique and vision that very few players have.”
Margolis had another strong season in the midfield during his third varsity season.
“Ethan is a modern midfielder – very strong one v. one, great header and uses his body extremely well,” said Ujkaj. “He has attacking characteristics that make him unique and very helpful during the offensive phase of the game. He’s got a fantastic shot, especially outside of the box.”
Rizk and Margolis will both be captains next season.
Wakefield finished the regular season at 6-5-7. They went 4-2-4 in Middlesex League Freedom Division play, good for second in the division with 12 points. Watertown also secured 12 points with a 5-3-2 divisional record but the teams tied both of their matchups this year and Wakefield outscored their Freedom opponents 18-8, better than Watertown’s 13-10. Melrose was first in the Freedom with a 9-1 record. After Wakefield and Watertown was Stoneham (9 points), Burlington (5 points) and Wilmington (2 points).
The Warriors earned the No. 25 seed in the new statewide Div. 2 tournament. They had to travel 106 miles to Nauset Regional High School to play the number 8 seed where they came up just short, 2-1.
