Warriors post 4-0 triumph to sweep season series
SENIOR CAPTAIN TJ Sellers goes up for a loose ball with several of his teammates looking on including Aidan Cusack (#25), Juan Maysonet (#10) and Jared Hurley (#20) during a recent game. Wakefield defeated Stoneham by a 4-0 score last night at Walton Field. (Donna Larsson File Photo)
Published in the October 14, 2016 edition.
By JIM SOUTHMAYD
WAKEFIELD — The second half of the Middlesex League Freedom division schedule has begun and the Warrior boys’ soccer team is hoping history will repeat itself.
Wakefield hopes to go on a run and finish at least second in the league as it did a year to get into the state tournament. The Warriors started off the second half of the M.L Freedom division schedule with an impressive 4-0 triumph over Stoneham last night under the lights at Walton Field.
Wakefield increased its overall record to 3-7-3 and 2-7-3 in the league. The Warriors also swept the season series against the Spartans. Wakefield won 6-0 in the first meeting at Stoneham.
“We’ve been looking to go on a run like we did last year,” said Coach Matt Angelo. “When we look at the standings everyone is bunched together. Melrose and Burlington have put themselves in front but Watertown and us are next. There isn’t one dominant team. We want to play a strong second half and see what happens.”
The Warriors controlled most of the play but led 1-0 at halftime. Wakefield took a 2-0 lead early in the second half and maintained that advantage until it scored a pair of goals late to make the contest a one-sided affair.
“They (Stoneham) came out and challenged us,” said Angelo. “We changed our formation recently and we had our opportunities. In the first half we could’ve had a few more goals. We weren’t going with our first option but our second and third option. We will change that in practice.
“Defensively, Stoneham played us tough,” added Angelo. “Despite that, I’m happy that we were able to carry out our game plan.”
Wakefield outshot Stoneham, 15-4, and had several chances go wide of the goal as the Warriors dominated in the possession game and created quite a few scoring opportunities. Finishing however was tough especially with the wet conditions in the first half due to a rain shower that hit the area right at kickoff.
Braedan Langlois, a senior forward and captain, used his speed to create several chances. He had one shot go wide on a cross and then fired a hard shot on Spartan goalie Ryan Josephson.
Senior captain and forward Juan Maysonet also had a couple of good bids go wide of the net on the left and right sides just missing the post each time.
TJ Sellers, another senior captain, had a good scoring opportunity with a header on a corner kick.
Wakefield continued to get the ball in the final third of the field, but it wasn’t until 15:55 when the Warriors broke through and took a 1-0 lead. Cole Kraus, a junior defender, sent a though pass to junior midfielder Vasili Koutroubis. Koutroubis beat a Stoneham defender and put the ball into the left corner for the 1-0 Wakefield lead.
Even though the Warriors had several more chances the half ended with Wakefield clinging to the 1-0 lead.
The second half began the same way and Wakefield extended its lead to 2-0 at 10:29. The goal was scored on a corner kick from the left side. Langlois served the ball into Sellers. Sellers booted the ball into the net.
After that the Spartans had a little more possession but the Warrior defense prevented Stoneham from mounting any major scoring threats. When the Spartans did get a shot off, junior keeper Ryan Ritchie was there to make the save. He had four saves.
“Ryan Ritchie played a strong game in goal,” said Angelo. “Aidan Cusack, our third back, did an outstanding job. Cole Kraus played well defensively and got an assist on first goal. Braedan Langlois sets the pace for us and he had a great effort.”
Wakefield tallied its two final two goals at 34:16 and 36:04 to give itself plenty of breathing room.
Sophomore midfielder Josh Ell put a shot in the left corner with senior midfielder Mike Leven earning the assist.
The final goal was scored by Maysonet with Ell getting the assist. Ell served a perfect ball into the box and Maysonet headed a fine shot inside the left post to make it 4-0.
“We had a lot of guys contributing with the scoring and that’s the way I like it,” said Angelo.
After Wakefield’s third goal, Ritchie came out of the game and senior keeper Mike Raso played the last several minutes. Raso didn’t face a shot.
“It was a nice win,” said Angelo. “If we can string together a few wins, we can make a jump in the standings. It’s an exciting time and it is going to come down to the wire.”
Wakefield’s next game is Tuesday night at 6 p.m. when it takes on Wilmington at Alumni Stadium. The two teams tied 1-1 in the first meeting at Walton Field.
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At Walton Field
Stoneham………0 0 — 0
WAKEFIELD…..1 3 — 4
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First Half — Wak, Koutroubis (Kraus) 15:55.
Second Half — Wak, Sellers (Langlois) 10:29. Wak, Ell (Leven) 34:16. Wak, Maysonet (Ell) 36:04.
Saves — Wak, Ritchie (4), Raso (0). Sto, Josephson (11).
