Sectional champs have target on their back in 2024

THE MELROSE High boys’ soccer team returns after one of their best seasons yet when they clinched the Div. 2 Sectional title last fall. (photo by Raj Das edphotos.com)

 

 


By JENNIFER GENTILE

MELROSE—Just one year after one of their finest seasons ever, the Melrose High boys’ varsity soccer team is back after earning the Div. 2 Final 4 Sectional trophy last fall, when they powered its way to the Div.  2 State Semifinals in a fantastic playoff run.

It’s been an incredible ride for longtime Melrose head coach Dean Serino, who saw a near-program best 16-4-2 season record, prompted by a senior-strong team who earned numerous All Star, All Conference and All Scholastic honors. Four of his senior players have since advanced to play college soccer, joining a large group of other former MHS players turned collegiate athletes. This tradition is keeping this MHS program one of the most consistently strong at the school. This week, they opened on the road against Belmont and fell 2-1 in a tight game that saw Melrose junior Reon Anderson score their only goal. Melrose will have a tough schedule from the get go but will certainly be prepared. 

Notes coach Serino, “For the last few years, we’ve had the league MVP on our team. That’s always a great advantage for any team. Other times, we have a collective group of players who are tough, skilled and physical on the field. It may be one of these years.”

Because of the strength of the program, Serino doesn’t fear a new lineup, even if it means replacing standout players gone from gradation. That’s a challenge that Melrose has risen to in years’ past.

It helps to have on hand quad captains Tyler Lecomte, Owen Brodeur, Dan Mueller and John Arens. All four are playoff experienced and ready to lead Melrose, whose season opener is Thursday (post deadline) against Reading. They will travel to Winchester and Wakefield thereafter. Last year, Wakefield nearly won the Div. 2 State Championship and almost met Melrose in finals. Now the two rivals will meet in closer territory, on the road at Galvin Middle School in Wakefield on Wednesday, Sept. 11.

This year look for offensive weapons such as Tyler Lecomte, Brendan Radzik, Aidan Murphy and Aidan Barber (among others) to help Melrose stay competitive. Melrose has an abundance of new players looking to make their make on the program.

Defensively, they present a solid unit and will rely on goalie work from Matteo Giovanardi and Owen Brown. “These two push each other and it could be anyone’s ball,” says coach Serino. “We have two great goalies.” Others on defense include Owen Brodeur and John Arens along with returning players Owen Mujalli and Malik Sayegh who are likely to make an impact too.

“This is a crafty, mentally tough team that will be strong defensively to find goals,” says their coach. “These are strong, really smart players out there.”

And once again, their schedule this fall is not easy. They will play the entire Middlesex League and their ML Freedom opponents twice.

Predicts Serino, “This might be one of the Middlesex League’s toughest year yet. Reading is way up. They’ll be a challenge. It’s a tough start to the schedule and every game will be a dogfight. But it’s not how you start it’s how you finish.”

Check on Melrose at home on Sept. 17 when they host Burlington at 6:00 p.m.