THE MHS BOYS soccer team is one win away from a Round of 8 tournament appearance following a 4-0 shutout over Chicopee at home Sunday Night. (courtesy photo)
Shuts out Chicopee 4-0 to advance Sweet 16
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The league-winning Melrose High boy’s soccer team enjoyed a first-round shutout against visiting #27 seed Chicopee Comp., who made the long trek out from Western Massachusetts for a first-round game against Melrose in front of a big crowd under the lights of Fred Green Field on Sunday evening. With the win, Melrose has now advanced to Round of 16 play in the Div. 2 state bracket.
Melrose will now host No. 22 seed Nauset (13-4-1) on Thursday Nov. 10 at 6:00 p.m. (post deadline) under the lights of Fred Green Field. (Fans will know to visit our social media pages or the MIAA website for up-to-date game information.)
No. 6 seed Melrose (13-4-2) enjoyed goals from Amir Lahkiky (2 goals, 1 assist) along with Tyler Lecomte and Joey Beshel. Lahkiky’s work was absolutely critical with the two scores and an assist on Lecomte’s goal to help Melrose shutout the Chicopee Colts.
“This is the Amir we know. He did so much for us in the game,” says Melrose head coach Dean Serino. “It was awesome to have the fan section out tonight and get to do it again on Thursday. This is exactly the way Melrose playoff soccer should be playing. I’m proud of them.”
For Melrose, finishing their regular season with a league loss may have seen an advantage. Says the coach, “Our Stoneham loss may have been good for us. These kids know that you can never ease up, never lose focus. And they didn’t in this game.”
Melrose goalie Aiden Heipler cleaned the sheet for Melrose with a shutout. In front of him Melrose defense held the fort, by great efforts from Ian Smith and Chris Weldon, while Russell O’Donnell and Joey Beshel essentially owned the green.
“I love watching these kids play at their peak senior game,” says Serino. “Ian and Damian Markovic are both the heart of this team. They get them pumped and energized. And Russell and Joey were just all over the place for us. One of my favorite things is watching Joey take it right off the opponent’s foot, which he did. Overall, It was a great group effort.”
Melrose got on board first when Amir Lahkiky knocked in his first goal of the game just minutes into the contest past the reach of Chicopee goalie Luke Theroux on an assist by Melrose’s Russell O’Donnell. Senior captain Joey Beshel would score on a gorgeous free kick from 25 yards out to put Melrose up 2-0 and get the fan section wild.
Melrose made it a 3-0 game at 19:46 when Tyler Lecomte scored in front of the net on an assist by Lahkiky. Melrose would keep Chicopee busy at the net with several near-miss goals towards the end of the first half courtesy of Damian Markovic among others, and Melrose took a 3-0 at the half. Lahkiky would score once more on an assist from Jovan Ssebugwawo.
Senior captain Ian Smith credited Melrose’s midfield work for the shutout. “I think Joey [Beshel], Russ [O’Donnell] Damian [Marcovic] and Erik [Hall] did a great job winning the ball and going forward. Our D line was organized and ready for anything.”
Fellow senior captain Russell O’Donnell says Melrose will continue intensity as they advance in playoffs. “We’ve made sure our practices are focused and intense. We’re going to make sure we clear and ball, play tight defense against Nauset and then have fun and score.”
Visiting Nauset will take nearly just as long a ride as Chicopee when they arrive at Fred Green Field for a 6:00 p.m. game on Thursday (post deadline)
Says coach Serino about the prep. “We will study film, stay focused and just play our game.”
Fans are encouraged to visit our social media pages for up to date tourney information, or visit www.miaa.net.
