After press time:
#30 Melrose defeats #35 Chicopee Comp. 2-1 in the preliminary round of the MIAA Division 2 State Tournament (Nov. 3)
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Published November 1, 2024
Unbeaten in 5 games, Melrose is eyeing playoffs
THE MHS boy’s soccer team got the job done in the final two games of the season with a win and a tie that should cement a playoff spot for them. At press time, they were power ranked #29 in Div. 2 (photo by Raj Das edphotos.com)
MELROSE—The Melrose High boy’s soccer team has all but assured themselves a spot in the Div. 2 playoff field by finishing their regular season unbeaten in five games, including a must win victory over Watertown last week, 1-0, and an impressive 0-0 tie against No. 10 ranked Marblehead (10-2-6) that has virtually locked a spot for Melrose, now Power Ranked No. 29 in a field of 33 with rankings due to be released Friday, Nov. 1.
It was a fight to the finish for Melrose, who is playing their best soccer at the right time, earning three wins and two ties in their last 2 weeks of regular season games, which has been critical to securing a spot in tournament. It’s been an unpredictable season overall for Dean Serino’s team who battled injuries and illness early before forging a winning path in the second half of the season. Right now, they are playing their best ball.
“We’ve been a defense minded team all season but I think you are really seeing the continuity of it now. We have our weapons back,” says Melrose head coach Dean Serino. “We’re not necessarily a team with one star, but we have pieces in the right spots and enough people in the right places to get it done. And I think when we play 100% as a team we have the chance to beat anyone,” he says, pointing to recent efforts against Marblehead (10-2-6) and one score games against No. 1 seed Wakefield.
Melrose played to an admirable 0-0 draw against the Marblehead Magicians on Monday and this was a critical effort in their quest to lock a playoff spot. Earning them the tie against a high ranked team increased their point ratio and a spot in power rankings, up to 29. By all indications, that ranking should translate into a similar bracket today (Friday) when Div. 2 brackets are released.
Says Serino, “These kids know to believe in themselves. When we do everything our best in games it translates to success.”
Melrose earned a great 1-0 win over Watertown on Friday, who was a team who recently beat No. 1 seed Wakefield. So Melrose came to play, big time. Scoring the games’ only goal was Aiden Murphy off the assist of Tyler Lecomte. Splitting the shutout at the net were goalies Matteo Giovanardi and Owen Brown. They were aided by some pretty solid Melrose defense. Notes Serino, “Josh Bird has been our best defender these days-he just played great out there. We played critical defense in the second half and a lot of that had to do with Owen Mujalli, Malek Sayegh and Dante Lamentea.”
And on Monday, Marblehead was a dogfight from the start. Despite no one finding the net on either end of the field, coach Serino was proud of the efforts of several of his players. “I thought Aiden Barber had his best game of the season. Sophomore Sirak Araia played well. We won in the ball in the air tonight and a lot of that had to do with Owen Mujalli and Malek Sayegh. And obviously our goalies Owen Brown and Matteo Giovanardi were outstanding. Overall our seniors really stepped up.”
Now, playoff brackets await. Melrose is nearly certain to have a spot in it, potentially a play-in game which could take place as early as this weekend. Fans should visit our social media pages and consult the MIAA website at www.miaa.net for up to date information.
Playoffs are no stranger to Melrose, and if one team has the soccer IQ and tournament experience, it’s Melrose, the reigning Div. 2 Sectional champs. They will certainly be ready. Says coach Serino, “Playing with no quit is a hard ask, but this team can do it.”
