THE SENIORS were honored before their 2-0 win over Swampscott on Oct. 18 at Landrigan Field. Pictured from left to right is Mouad Khaja, Charles Gagne, Sean Callanan, Nick Roehrich and Zach Goc. (Courtesy Photo)
By MARC GAGNE
WAKEFIELD — A special night was held at Landrigan Field on Oct. 18, honoring the senior girls and the senior boys of the Wakefield Memorial High School varsity soccer teams. The concession stand was open, the National Anthem was sung, and the youth soccer players were there and gearing up for their half-time showdowns. There were banners, balloons, pictures of the varsity players starting out and a red and white balloon arch through which the seniors processed before their names were called.
Both teams played Swampscott. The senior boys — captain Charles Gagne, captain Mouad Khaja, Sean Callanan, Zach Goc and Nick Roehrich — received their recognition following the girls’ 3-1 victory over the Big Blue and got to work themselves.
In the beginning of the game, Gagne booted a couple of passes to favorite target, junior captain Jack Millward, and there were close calls but no goals.
A little later into the first half, sophomore Guy Revah was fouled in the penalty box, and Millward fired a successful penalty shot in for the Warriors.
Further into the game, Millward took a pass from sophomore Alex de Morais, who had brought the ball up the field past multiple defenders, and made a beautiful shot into the net to give the Warriors a 2-0 lead. That was all the Warriors would need to finish this one off.
The defense was stellar in this game as was the goalie, Khaja. Khaja was not challenged too often but came up big when he was with impressive saves on corner kicks and a ball he punched out in stoppage time.
“Senior leadership is always a crucial part of a team’s success,” said head coach Matt Angelo. “Each year, there is an added responsibility for the senior class to help the coaching staff ensure our program rules — and responsibilities are being taken care of — all while being examples for the younger, newer players. The seniors this season have been phenomenal. Each of them has stepped up as a leader in their own unique ways.
“This is a fairly new team having only five seniors on the roster so there’s an added pressure this season. Charles Gagne and Mouad Khaja are two of our senior captains. Sean Callanan, Nick Roehrich and Zach Goc are not captains, but all season they have brought tremendous leadership both on the field and off.
“All five guys are a big reason for the team’s success this year.”
The Warriors have since went 2-1 against Watertown (2-0, L), Wilmington (1-0, W) and Winchester (2-1, W), bringing their record to 14-2-1. Wakefield’s final game will be tomorrow, 4:30 p.m. against Andover at the Galvin’s Walton Field.
The Warriors were ranked No. 1 in the latest Div. 2 power rankings that were released by the MIAA this morning. The state tournament brackets will be released on Friday. Wakefield will host a first round game, most likely early next week.
