Wiesen’s hat trick results in 5-2 victory

Published September 27, 2019

By JENNIFER GENTILE

MELROSE—The Melrose Red Raider soccer team picked up a key league win over Stoneham, 5-2, under the lights of Fred Green Field on Sept. 18. 

It was a solid win and and a combined offensive and defensive effort by the Red Raiders, who saw senior captain Robert Wiesen score a hat trick and Parker Thorton rack up four assists. Also scoring was Jacobus Overgaag and Dan Oteri.

Melrose coach Dean Serino was glad to pick up a win over an always-competitive Spartan team. 

“Stoneham is always a good team,” says Serino. “They were fast up front and have good size. I was glad we were able to score quality goals off of them. Playing at Fred Green Field always inspires the boys to step it up.” 

THE MELROSE Red Raider soccer team earned a league win over Stoneham, 5-2. (file photo)

Offensively, Melrose has seen some quality scoring from Wiesen and Parker this season. “These two have come up big for us, certainly. What I like about them is how unselfish they are out on the field. They work well together and communicate nicely with their teammates to get balls in the net.”  

But Melrose defense has been rock solid in recent efforts, aiding Melrose goalie Cam McDonough, including during Melrose’s 1-0 heartbreaking loss to arch rival Watertown on Sept. 20. Limiting Watertown to one goal was a steep challenge but Melrose defenders got the job done. Serino points to the efforts of Christian Carrieri, Tom Bergin, Jack O’Hara, Liam O’Hara. Furio Forconi and Sohaib Drif in getting this done. 

Right now, it’s every man on deck as Melrose is battling a host of injuries that has seen a sort of shuffling on the field. “We have players like Cam [Rosnov] Fillipo [Del Negro] Hooper [Ward] and John [Lecompte] battling injuries so it’s been challenging. But we have good depth and players who are stepping into the role and doing well. We’d like continuity but we’re getting there.”

Serino notes the strength of the Middlesex League, and that there is no night off. “Watertown is always competitive and they were in our game, and I expect Wakefield to be very good as well.” 

Melrose certainly has the ingredients for a winning season. Once they get healthy and iron out some minor flaws there is no reason to expect them to be anything less than a playoff bound team. 

“If we focus on anything it would be consistency,” says Serino. “We can clean up the little mistakes. Once we keep our switch on I expect good things.” 

After playing rival Wakefield on Wednesday (post deadline) Melrose is set to host Wakefield during the team’s highly anticipated Soccer Night, which takes place tonight at 6:00 p.m. Fans get to see both the boy’s team and girls team in action with games starting at 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., respectively.