Red Raiders fall 12-11, another near-upset against top rated Warriors
Published in the June 9, 2017 edition
MIKE PEDRINI’S five goals weren’t enough for the Melrose High boy’s lacrosse team, who fell to undefeated Wakefield in semifinals, 12-11 on Tuesday. (Donna Larsson photo)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—In a highly anticipated rematch, the Melrose Red Raider lacrosse team saw their playoff run end on Tuesday, June 6 in the Div. 2 North semifinals after nearly upsetting undefeated rival Wakefield Warriors (20-0), 12-11, at a rain soaked Landrigan field in a down-to-the wire thriller that stands as a deja vu of their last meeting on May 11, when the Warriors prevailed in overtime, 10-11.
For Wakefield, their victory came courtesy of a two-man team of seniors Austin Collard and Pat Leary, who combined for 10 goals, and for the Red Raiders, 5 goals from Mike Pedrini helped flipped a 10-6 fourth quarter deficit to an 11-10 game with just three minutes left in regulation.
“We had a tremendous second half,” said Melrose head coach Matt James. “Once we increased pressure we had faith that we could turn things around. It was a great game, Wakefield is a talented team so I’m proud of our effort.”
Pedrini (5 goals, 1 assist), played his last game at MHS, and on Tuesday he did what he’s done best: put a scare in Wakefield. His three goals stood alone for Melrose until the half. Put he and teammate Chris Cusolito helped narrow the score to 12-11, leaving fans wondering if Wakefield would blow it. Corbin White capped off an incredible high school career with one goal and three big assists in the second half.
Melrose goalie Matt Rocha had some tremendous saves at the net while being swarmed by Warrior attackers. His 16 saves helped Melrose stay in the game, and reminded fans how lucky the team is that he’s a sophomore. “In that last quarter Matt was outstanding,” says James. “We needed to press and he was doing some moves in the net that are hard to do. He was the difference.”
After Pedrini scored Melrose’s only 3 goals in the first half, Melrose was down 8-3. But when they came out from the half, Melrose chipped away to 10-6 at the courtesy of back-to-back goals from Jack White and another from Gabe Nyland. “I think we were baffled at first,” said James. “After the first quarter ended we made some adjustments, and Matt at the net was able to move the ball well and calm us down a bit.”
Melrose held Wakefield scoreless for a total of 12 minutes in the second half, and the Red Raiders chipped away one goal at a time, 6 unanswered, behind the efforts of Pedrini and Andy Calvert (who made it a 10-8 game). Soon Wakefield’s Brandon Langlois shot a goal that made it 11-8, but Melrose’s Mike Calvert found the net at 3:52 to make it 11-9.
Meanwhile, Melrose showed increased defensive pressure from Rocha, Lou Izzi, Will Pzegeo and Cam Rosie. Says their coach, “They played outstanding. Our defense just pressed and stopped them from scoring in the second half.” Melrose showed tremendous transition skill in the second half, thanks to middies Mike Calvert, Andrew Calvert and Chris Cusolito, whose efforts James called “incredible.”
Warriors fans were stunned when Melrose’s Andy Calvert found Chris Cusolito for a goal that made it 11-10 with 3:00 left in the game. But Wakefield’s Leary gave the Warriors some breathing room at 1:26 with a goal, 12-10.
With ten seconds left in the game, Melrose’s Pedrini charged down the field and lobbed an unassisted shot past Warrior goalie Ryan Chambers for good measure. An expired clock ended any hope of Melrose comeback with a final score 12-11, but fans on both sides of the aisle watched a game to remember. And surely if there were a fifth quarter the two teams would have traded goals all night.
Coach James credited Melrose’s second half turnaround. “Jack Wells really turned the switch in the second half.” And then of course, there is Pedrini, who was on a mission. “Mike is a player who puts the team on his back. He wants to will the win – and he can do it. In the last two weeks we have seen that Mike, he had to get healthy this spring, and he got his legs back in the Burlington game and especially this game. He just played ridiculous.”
So what it about Melrose and Wakefield that makes these two teams play so closely?
Says James, “We have a theory: they’re mirror images of each other. They have the same work ethic and philosophy, they play similar styles, they lift weights, they’re athletic. If you see your rival in the mirror, you don’t want to get beaten by yourself, it’s a matter of pride.”
And while there is a little sense that this may be Wakefield’s year (at 20-0, they’ll vie for the state title) Melrose returns reloaded in a major way. While they lose four seniors: Pedrini (Tufts bound), White (playing for Keene State), Luke Karelas and Alec Catalini, they return with their entire defense, a top rated goalie, young attackers and spring all stars.
It is fair to say that in 2018 Melrose will be loaded. According to James, not only do they have starting returners, but a stacked 8th grade class is moving up the ranks. “They are some highly recruitable kids coming through. We have kids leaving private schools to play here. It will be a huge team and there will be fights for starting roles. I’m excited. I’m ready to begin practice today.”
No doubt for the MHS Red Raider lacrosse team the future is bright.
