THE MELROSE High boys soccer team finished their league championship season at 12-5. (Jennifer Gentile photo)


Early goal ends Melrose’s (12-5) postseason, 1-0

By JENNIFER GENTILE

MELROSE—The Melrose High boy’s soccer team’s joyride season is over.

It was an early upset in the Div. 2 field when No. 24 seed Scituate sailed into Melrose (No.9 seed) on Saturday in the opening round of the Div. 2 playoffs and left with a 1-0 victory that advances the Sailors to Round of 16 play and ends Melrose’s league-winning season at 12-5. 

Scituate’s Alex Christiansen scored the game’s only goal just minutes after the start, and it was a score that Melrose could not recover from, despite maintaining most of the ball in the first half. Melrose standout Parker Thornton had several shots at net but fell just shy several times. Players Jovan Ssebugwawo and Amir Lahkiky also came close to finding the net, but Scituate goalies Ryan McGurty and Cole Brundige were stingy and ultimately both earned the shutout at the net. Melrose remained a threat during the game though as middies Joey Beshel and Liam O’Hara were key in keeping the ball out of Sailor territory as Melrose attempted to tie it up. 

Melrose coach Dean Serino felt an early slip up on defense just moments into the game was ultimately something they couldn’t overcome. “It was a frustrating loss. We had about 10 days off going into the game but you’ve got to give them [Scituate] credit. They were a very physical team who came out strong and fast.” 

From the first score just minutes in, Scituate settled and didn’t seem particularly interested in expanding their scoring, instead playing defense. Says Serino, “I think once they [Scituate] scored that goal they just parked the bus, you know, 10 guys in front of the net, making it harder for our scorers to break through. They certainly targeted Parker, and even though we maintained much of the ball in the game, we just couldn’t get that path to the net.” 

 

THE MHS boy’s soccer team fell in the opening round of the Div. 2 playoffs in a 1-0 loss to Scituate. Pictured is Jovan Ssebugwawo. (Jennifer Gentile photo)

 

While the end result was disappointing after such a winning season, Melrose leaves knowing they played the best ball they could. In fact, Melrose earned eight shutouts at the net this season, thanks in part to the work of senior goalie Jay Vogan. Essentially, going 12-4 in an incredibly hard Middlesex League is not something that happens every day. Melrose was the third best team in both large and small division, finishing ahead of historically tough teams like Reading, Watertown and Woburn. No doubt, this is a team and season worth celebrating. 

Says Serino, “This is a special team. Last year, there were great expectations for us. We were senior-heavy and very talented, and of course, we didn’t have playoffs so there’s no way of knowing what could have been. Coming into this season, I knew we had some great talent but I think this team surprised me how much and just how quickly they were ready to win. It starts at the top, with our seniors.” 

Melrose will graduate ten seniors, including captains Parker Thornton, Matt Whelan and Liam O’Hara and seniors Max Farmelant, Prashanta Udas, Gerard DeCunha, Niall Gavin, Sam Barbagallo, Spencer Moltoni and goalie Jay Vogan. 

“Our seniors showed how experienced they were playing out there from day one,” says Serino. “They are like the older brothers of this team. I’ve known them since they were 10 years old, and they grew up together, became best friends and lifelong teammates. That chemistry did remarkable things for us. We grew as a team because of them.” 

All Stars this season were named to be Parker Thornton, Liam O’Hara, Matt Whelan, Nial Gavin and Joey Beshel. Thornton, leaves as both League MVP and an EMass All Star. His 21 goals put him at the top of the Division. Teammate Liam O’Neil also earned EMass All Star honors. Both had exceptional seasons and college ball is most definitely in their future. 

“We’re going to miss our seniors but are really excited with our experienced players returning,” says Serino. “Our young players are so skilled. We need them to grow a little stronger, which they will, and we can’t wait to see what they’ll do.”