THE MELROSE High boy’s lacrosse team pulled away in the second half against rival Wakefield to secure an 11-5 victory. (Dan Pawlowski photo)

 

 

After press time:
Melrose defeats Watertown 14-1 (May 13)
Melrose defeats Wilmington 12-7 (May 10)
Melrose defeats Woburn 16-4 (May 8)
Melrose falls to Arlington 5-3 (May 3)
Melrose defeats Lexington 8-4 (May 1)

 


By JENNIFER GENTILE

WAKEFIELD—Their rivalry is second to none, and this spring, the Melrose and Wakefield boys’ lacrosse teams met up on April 24 for their only meeting of the season and the hometown boys prevailed, with Melrose beating Wakefield (5-3) soundly, 11-5. 

Both teams have played spoiler to the other over the years but this year Melrose (3-7) got only one shot at Wakefield (now in Div. 3) which meant that the meeting on April 24 was the only time they’ll face each other this season. “Wakefield was very good,” says Melrose head coach Matt James. “This is a good win for us.”

Melrose had come off an incredibly hard schedule of primarily non-league games to help prepare for Middlesex League play. So far they’ve split efforts, losing to Burlington on April 26, 12-8. But the Wakefield win certainly set the tone. 

Melrose’s Max Kleinbub had 5 goals in the game. Senior Colin Fahey had a very strong effort as well, along with Nick Hitchman who contributed with his own goal. 

“Colin had an amazing game,” says coach James. “He set the tone early with a few quick goals and really took control of the game. All 3 of these guys showed great leadership and were determined to have this game come out for our side.”

Additionally, Finn Alpers scored two goals on the day and Dylan Mestjian had his first varsity goal. 

Melrose was off to a 2-0 start but Wakefield would take an early lead of 3-2 before Melrose’s Phinneas Alper tied it up at 3. Goalie Michael Fuccione (13 saves) made 4 saves to keep the game close in the second while Alpers and Kleinbub gave Melrose a 6-5 lead in the half. 

But Melrose took control after that, thanks in large part to their goalie, Fuccione. “He settled in and took control of the game after the first quarter. He was lights out as he typically is,” says coach James. 

Coach James credits his senior players for keeping focused in order to command the win. Melrose outshot Wakefield 5-0 in the final frame. Kleinbub had three goals to help Melrose pull away from the Warriors. And Melrose maintained possession most of the half, winning a majority of face offs. 

“Our senior leadership was awesome,” says the coach. “Max Klenibub, Colin Fahey, Mike Fuccione, Declan Baker and Jack Wright were all excellent. Jack had a dominant game on face offs and played exceptional defense. It was really great to watch them take over.”

Coach James notes that the teams’ harder-than-average early schedule tested Melrose and, against the Warriors, it paid off. “Playing the schedule we play takes a lot of mental toughness,” he says. “The kids saw the big picture and got better over the last two weeks.”

While they encountered a speed bump a few days later against Burlington, coach James still saw some great efforts. “Nick Hitchman had a great game, leading on offense, and Michael Fuccione made some really big saves.”

Melrose will have some Middlesex Large competition coming up. They are schedule to travel to Lexington on Wednesday (post deadline) and will host Arlington on Friday at 6:30 p.m.