Published November 17, 2023
Oliver Ames takes 2-1 sudden death win
By JENNIFER GENNTILE
Editors Note: Melrose’s ends their remarkable Final 4 championship season following a late 2-1 overtime loss against Oliver Ames on the road on Tuesday evening. (Details still forthcoming)
WESTWOOD—A bus full of faithful MHS fans donned in red took the long ride to Xaverian High School in Westwood to watch No. 7 seed Melrose (15-3-2) take on No. 6 seed Oliver Ames (17-3-1) in one of the biggest games in the history of the program, the MIAA Div. 2 State Semifinal, which took place on a cold night on Nov. 14.
With scarfs, blankets and cowbells in hand, the message was clear: Go, Red!
The game would send one team to a Div. 2 state final this weekend against the winner of Wakefield and Hopkinton so the stakes couldn’t be higher. And the recent D2 Final Four trophy champ Melrose team hadn’t been in this position for 20 years.
It was a gripping, even game in the opening minutes, with both teams showing pressing defense and no major advantages on either side of the ball. Oliver Ames did a decent job thwarting Melrose standout scorer Nick Lahkiky, one of the best to ever play at MHS, and they also focused in on a red-hot Jevon Ssebugwawo, who has simply had a playoffs for Melrose.
Fortunately, Melrose defense kept the Tigers scoreless in the pressing opening moments of the game and would later enter halftime when both teams locked at zero. At the net Melrose’s Matteo Giovarnardi would have 4 early saves.
A recharged Melrose offense found momentum in the second half, and they helped open the path for Ssebugwawo to score when he took advantage of an Oliver Ames turnover and zeroed in on a goal which had Melrose fans on their feet and thinking of a trip to states.
Soon, though, Oliver Ames tied it up off a score from Joey Carney in the right corner about 17 minutes into the second half. It was a new contest but it saw regulation come and go with and both teams recharging on the sidelines after a long 80 minutes.
After seven minutes of a sudden death gridlock, and fierce play from both sides, Oliver Ames’ Craig Churchill scored off a corner kick from Ryan Linhares to end the game and send the Tigers to states.
Oliver Ames will now move on to face the winner of Wakefield and Hopkinton (schedule to play Wednesday, post deadline) for a chance to vie for the coveted Div. 2 State Title. It was impressive playoffs for both the Tigers (#6 seed) and Melrose (#7 seed) who were perhaps seeded lower than they should’ve been after seeing Division@ favorites (top 4 seeds) Bedford, Billerica, Nashoba and Hingham fall early.
At 15-3-2, coach Dean Serino’s team finishes as the most accomplished MHS soccer team in 20 years, since their Sectional win in 2001, and will no doubt have a number of All Stars named.
Check out our edition next week to get a full recap and in-depth game and season thoughts from coach Serino as he says goodbye to a talented champion team.