Published November 30, 2018
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The Melrose Red Raider boy’s soccer team gathered on Thursday, Nov. 15 at the Knights of Columbus in Melrose to celebrate another winning season at their annual year-end banquet.
Seniors were honored over the evening and awards given out including Middlesex League All-Star honors, which were given to Tarekegn O’Neill, Fabrice Francois, Anthony Bilbilian and Miguel Contreras. Contreras also earned All-Conference honors, a rare honor that goes to the top eleven athletes in both the large and small divisions of the Middlesex League.
RED RAIDER seniors were honored at the banquet. Pictured back (L-R): captain Anthony Bilbilian, Ben McNeely, Connor Mancini, Dan Bouvier, Michael Tormo, Fabrice Francois. Kneeling: captain Miguel Contreras, Ethan Peet, Pat Maher and Zach Peet. Missing: Thomas Michaels, Kamar Cesar & Gil Aguilar. (courtesy photo)
Individual awards given included the annual J. Michael Hughes Award, which was awarded to Anthony Bilbilian. Taking home the Metropolitan Award was Tarekegn O’Neill. The Scholastic Award (Student-Athlete Award) was awarded to Dan Bouvier. The Most Improved Player was given to Ben McNeely and the Unsung Hero Award was given to Tommy Bergin. Lastly, the Coaches Award was given to Ethan Peete.
This fall, Melrose qualified for another postseason and in the opening round of the Div. 3 North Finals and fell 1-0, to eventual Div. 3 State champ Wayland, an incredible score in retrospect and one that reflects the potential of next year’s class. But this year they graduate some excellent talent, including captain Anthony Bilbilian, Ben McNelly, Connor Mancini, Dan Bouvier, Mike Tormo, Fabrice Francois, captain Miguel Contreras, Ethan Peet, Pat Maher, Zach Peet, Tom Michaels, Kamar Cesar and Gil Aguilar.
