Warriors top Melrose 4-2 in Walton Field finale

BRIANNA SMITH, a senior midfielder, scored the first Warrior goal on Senior Night at Walton Field in Wakefield’s 4-2 victory over Melrose. (Donna Larsson File Photo)

BRIANNA SMITH, a senior midfielder, scored the first Warrior goal on Senior Night at Walton Field in Wakefield’s 4-2 victory over Melrose. (Donna Larsson File Photo)

Published in the October 21, 2016 edition.

By DAN MARGARITA

WAKEFIELD — For the final home game of the season at Walton Field, the Wakefield Memorial High girls’ soccer team posted an impressive win as it beat Melrose, 4-2.

Since it was the last game that meant that it was also “Senior Night” and before the game flowers were presented to seniors on both teams.

“It was a great win. We’ve been waiting for that win for a long time. I’m happy for the seniors. We played well from the start. We played the whole 80 minutes. We had contributions from everybody,” said Wakefield coach Stephanie Martin.

Wakefield is now 2-10-3 overall and 2-9-3 in the Middlesex League Freedom division.

Wakefield came out strong with Hailey Lovell making her presence known in the Melrose end. But it was Brianna Smith who was able to take a pass from Kelsey Czarnota and buried it for a goal to give Wakefield a 1-0 lead.

The teams played evenly for a while with Melrose’s Caitlin Haligan handling most of the Melrose load and Olivia Dziadyk getting off a couple of shots for Wakefield.

Neither side could produce any more offense, however, and the teams went into halftime with Wakefield leading 1-0.

It wasn’t long into the second half when Wakefield doubled its lead. Lovell came in on Melrose keeper Jenna Stone, who came out to try and cut down the angle of the shot. Lovell got the shot off and put Wakefield up 2-0.

“Hailey Lovell had two beautiful goals. She’s been on the verge of scoring so many times. She finally found that touch,” said Martin.

Things seemed secure for Wakefield when Meaghan Foley scored with 7:02 left to play and make it 3-0.

Melrose finally got on the scoreboard with a goal from Paige MacDonald to make it 3-1.

Melrose was awarded a penalty shot and Kayla Sixsmith put it in the back of the net to make it 3-2 with 3:49 to play and make things a bit uncomfortable for Wakefield.

Then with little time remaining Lovell scored on a corner kick to make it 4-2, where it would stand.

“We had awesome play by our defense and Emma Hickey in net was solid. She made some great saves tonight. It was a total team effort and I couldn’t be any happier,” said Martin.

Wakefield plays Swampscott in a non-league game tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m. at Swampscott High. The Warriors then close out their schedule with a road game on Tuesday night against Burlington at 6 p.m. at Varsity Field and Thursday night at 7 p.m. against Watertown on the turf at Victory Field.

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At Walton Field

Melrose…………..0 2 — 2

WAKEFIELD…….1 3 — 4

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First Half — Wak, Smith (Czarnota) 15:37.

Second Half — Wak, Lovell (Fiore) 6:18. Wak, Foley (Lovell) 32:58. Mel, MacDonald (un.) 35:09. Mel, Sixsmith (Penalty Kick) 36:11. Wak, Lovell (Dube´) 38:30.

Saves — Wak, Hickey (11). Mel, Stone (9).