Warriors win home finale by 4-2 tally

SENIOR GOALIE Zack Dascoli (#20) prepares to make a save during a recent game as sophomore Dan Sallade (#1) closes in on the Melrose. The Warriors won their home finale on Saturday at Walton Field as they defeated Swampscott by a 4-2 score in a non-league game. (Donna Larsson File Photo)

SENIOR GOALIE Zack Dascoli (#20) prepares to make a save during a recent game as sophomore Dan Sallade (#1) closes in on the Melrose. The Warriors won their home finale on Saturday at Walton Field as they defeated Swampscott by a 4-2 score in a non-league game. (Donna Larsson File Photo)

Published in the October 26, 2015 edition.

By DAN MARGARITA

WAKEFIELD — The Wakefield Memorial High boys’ soccer team celebrated Senior Day with an exciting 4-2 win over Swampscott on Saturday in a non-league at Walton Field.

“We don’t win easy over in Wakefield. Today was an awesome event. It’s the boys’ Senior Day, which is always an emotional, high-energy day for us. Even more than that, this was the last regular season game (and) it was the best that they have played for an entire game,” said Coach Matt Angelo.

“They put it together and that was our talk going into this game, especially towards the seniors, ‘Listen guys, you put four years of work in so showcase it tonight. Today’s the day to do it. This is your last regular season home game (and) probably the last home game you’re going to have on this turf, (so) showcase your skills and not only did the seniors do it, the entire team did and we used everyone on our bench today. This was a total team effort and I couldn’t be happier for the boys,” added Matt Angelo.

The teams battled fairly evenly matched throughout much of the first half. Midway through the half Mo Janga knocked in a loose ball that was a rebound of a Braeden Langlois shot for a goal to give Wakefield a 1-0 lead.

In the last minute of the half Juan Maysonet fed a nice cross to Mark Melanson, who was able to bury the goal to send Wakefield into the intermission with a 2-0 lead.

The second goal came against Max Bazarov in net, who had replaced starter Will Green after Green left the game with an injury that was one of many in the game.

“It’s funny, we started playing Swampscott four years ago when I took the team over and it started out as a really friendly game and throughout the years and every single game gets more and more aggressive. I think the reason is that they are an identical team to us. They’re a very blue collar, very physical in-your-face kind of team and that’s what we are. When those two teams match up there are going to be a lot of bodies flying and that’s what it was. But Swampscott is a very, very strong team. I think they’re first in their league,” noted Angelo.

Swampscott started the second half with some shots on Wakefield keeper Zack Dascoli, who was able to deflect a number of shots over the net.

The pressure eventually paid off when Danny Hingston scored for Swampscott to cut the Wakefield lead to 2-1.

Maysonet then scored to give Wakefield some breathing room with a 3-1 lead, which the Warriors needed when Swampscott score with 29 seconds left to make it 3-2.

With Swampscott keeper Bazarov out of the net as a sort of extra man on offense, Maysonet was able to get by him and score to make it 4-2 and secure the Wakefield victory.

Coach Angelo reflected on what it always a tough day for senior players.

“It’s always emotional for the seniors. I told them, ‘You’re going to remember this night for the rest of your life, so let’s make it a good one,’ and they absolutely came through. Every senior on this team has played on the varsity for three-plus years. Some were called up as freshmen and sophomores so there’s a lot of work that these guys put in and they deserve a night like this.”

The Swampscott win came after the Warriors tied Burlington 2-2 last Tuesday night at Varsity Field in Burlington and defeated Watertown by a 3-1 tally on Thursday night at Victory Field. Wakefield finished the regular season with a 6-8-4 overall record and 5-7-4 record in the Middlesex League Freedom division.

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At Walton Field

Swampscott…….0  2 — 2

WAKEFIELD…….2  2 — 4

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First Half — Wak, Jenga (Langlois) 24:00. Wak, Melanson (Maysonet) 39:00.

Second Half — Swa, Hingston (un.) 12:10. Wak, Maysonet (Melanson) 15:17. Swa, Hingston (Carbone) 39:31. Wak, Maysonet (Ingalls) 39:36.

Saves — Wak, Dascoli (11). Swa, Green (4); Swa, Bazarov (3).