Move one point away from tournament bid
Published October 24, 2019
By DAN PAWLOWSKI
WAKEFIELD — Senior nights are always special.
It’s a time to celebrate a group who has worked hard and given so much to their respective sports.
The Wakefield boys’ soccer seniors got their well-deserved moment of recognition before the game and all got a chance to start, but it was what happened in stoppage time that they will be most proud of.
With a 2-0 lead over Stoneham, head coach Ilir Ujkaj gave his seniors a chance to be on the field together as they picked up a vital win.
The opportunity presented itself after senior Josh Goc scored on a free kick with about 10 minutes to play.
THE WARRIOR seniors were honored before their 2-0 victory over Stoneham last night. Pictured with their families from left to right are Cameron Farrow, Zach Fiore, Colby Emerson, Patrick Collins, John Benoit, Jake Butler, Anthony Pellegrino, John Summers, Josh Goc, Liam Bry, Craig Hatfield, Nick Petersen and Cyrus Ryan. (Brendan Kent Photo)
“Goc’s goal pretty much wrapped up the game and to have all the seniors out there in the last minute was like a dream come true,” said Ujkaj.
The seniors shifted their focus to the task at hand almost immediately after the pregame photos with their families were captured. Wakefield entered the night needing at least win and a tie in their last three games. Getting the win now would be vital.
It wasn’t easy. Stoneham played the Warriors to a very tough first half. Goc and senior captain Pat Collins were required to set the tone for the defense early. Senior Craig Hatfield provided some good energy up front early on.
Goalie Matt Sellers made a nice diving save from left to right but the first 15 minutes was mostly a 50/50 battle for possession.
THE SENIORS huddle up before their start against Stoneham on Senior Night last night. The same group got a chance to close a 2-0 win in stoppage time in front of their home fans. Wakefield now needs one more point in their final two games to qualify for the state tournament. (Dan Pawlowski Photo)
Wakefield started to turn the tide around the 20 minute mark.
Senior captain Anthony Pellegrino had a good chance in the box stopped after a beautiful switch from senior Colby Emerson. “Pelle” was just warming up.
The Warriors had to work hard especially on Stoneham’s right winger who had plenty of speed. Wakefield counted on Goc and Collins throughout but got some help along the way from the likes of freshman Ethan Margolis and Eric Keefe. Keefe shut the dangerous winger down with a defensive clinic, forcing his opponent to make the first move and reading it perfectly.
Fellow junior Logan Cosgrove in back was fantastic all game. He saved the Warriors from facing a 1-0 deficit when he was in the perfect position to stop a header off a cross that was heading straight for the back of the net.
Wakefield called a timeout with eight minutes left, hoping to get a tally before the break.
After another dangerous chance on the right wing was snuffed out on a remarkable recovery by Collins that he cleared up the sidelines, the Warriors countered quickly and got the ball up to Pellegrino who finished with 6:43 left in the first.
“Luckily, ‘Pelle’ has a hot foot right now,” said Ujkaj. “From there, the game picked up to where we wanted it.”
Wakefield really dominated possession early in the second, thanks in large part to some great work from midfielders Keefe and Joao Valdevino up to senior captain striker John Summers. Margolis put him some hard work on the right wing and while Cosgrove continued to win back possessions, players like freshman Nemo Rizk were created with some good vision.
Stoneham, unable to break through, called timeout with 15 minutes left.
Cosgrove came out of the break with another big stop and clear and Margolis nearly converted after a nice give and go with Summers.
Goc’s free kick was set up from distance closer to the right sideline. After a tip from a teammate the lefty curled one toward the left post. With plenty of heat on it, the ball couldn’t be stopped as if deflected off a Stoneham defender and in for a 2-0 lead.
Getting the seniors together on the field in the end was important to Ujkaj because so many of them have earned a moment like that. Especially those who have sacrificed time on the field with the betterment of the team in mind. That’s the type of sacrifice, good attitudes and leadership it takes to make the playoffs. It’s what made this senior night a little more special.
“Whoever has been playing has kept the team together and whoever has been on the bench has acted professionally,” said Ujkaj. “That sets a great example. “I really wanted the seniors to finish together because that mirrors what they all deserve.
“It was just perfect. Senior night, one win closer (to making the tournament). We can see the finish line now.”
The Warriors need just one more point between their last two games. Their first chance comes tomorrow in Burlington at 6 p.m. Wakefield’s final regular season game is Oct. 31 at home against Everett at 4 p.m.
