Warrior boys’ soccer team celebrates phenomenal season at banquet
By MARC GAGNE
WAKEFIELD — The incredibly successful 2024 Wakefield boys’ soccer team wrapped up its season with a lively banquet at Prince Pizza on Sunday, Dec. 8. As a tradition, coaches call up the junior varsity teams and recap their season, then head coach Matt Angelo speaks about every member of the varsity team, remarking on their strengths and all they meant to the program over the course of the season.
A number of league and team awards were given out on this day as well. Five Warriors were named Middlesex League All-Stars this year: Junior captain Jack Millward, senior captain Charles Gagne, junior Matt Keefe, junior Aidan Bligh and sophomore Alex De Morais. Millward and Gagne were named All-Conference players for the Middlesex League and Millward was the league’s Most Valuable Player.
In addition, Millward and Gagne were named to the Eastern Massachusetts Coaches High School All-Star Team. Gagne was named an All-Star for this team and Millward All-New England.
The team awards given out at the banquet resulted in many smiles as well. Senior Zach Goc was given The Captain’s Award; senior Sean Callanan received the Unsung Hero Award, and Gagne received the Warrior Award.
A new award was also created called the Leadership Award, and this was given to senior Mouad Khaja, who was injured during the season and proceeded to then cheer on and champion the goalie who took over for him: freshman, Kai Mercer.
ALEX DE MORAIS
The final task for the afternoon was to name the captains for the 2025 season. The current juniors chosen to lead next year’s team were Millward, Keefe, Bligh and Nik Dhingra.
There will be big expectations for this group coming off an 18-3-1 record, a Middlesex League Championship and a Final Four appearance — but next year’s team will surely be up to the challenge.
