Amir Lahkiky’s 3 goals stuns in 4-0 shutout
Update post publication:
Melrose defeats Arlington 1-0
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—It was without a doubt their most impressive win of the season for the Melrose High boy’s varsity soccer team, who hosted unbeaten Winchester on Oct. 5 and swept away with a 4-0 shutout over a team who had only given up 1 goal all season. The win not only improved them to 6-2-1 but catapulted them in MIAA Power Rankings to #3 in Division 2.
Much of that came off the foot of Melrose senior captain Amir Lahkiky, who had three goals, plus the work of Melrose’s stellar defense, including goalie Aiden Heipler at the net who secured the shutout.
After the game, Melrose coach Dean Serino praised the efforts of Lahkiky. “Amir is Amir,” he chuckled. “He willed it for us. He just does it all.”
Melrose was first on the board thanks to Jovan Ssebugwawo who also had an assist on one of Lahkiky’s goals. “Jovan is one of the toughest kids in this league,” says Serino. “He’s so physically skilled and would made a great college player.”
Serino also credit Melrose’s defense against the Red and Black. “They were just lights out, John [Arens], Malek [Sayegh], Dan [Muller] and Tyler [Lecomte]really gave them no scoring opportunities at all.”
And there was much praise for Melrose midfielders. “Liam Gavin, Sam O’Donnell and Erik Hall were incredible. Nick [Thermenos] also played really well,” says the coach.
Earning assists on the day were Thermenos, Liam Gavin, Ssebugwawo and Lahkiky.
Melrose came into the battle riding a three-game winning streak and had allowed only 5 goals all season. So they were a formidable threat to Winchester. In order to beat a team like the Red and Black, Melrose had to play their best from top to bottom, and they did, contends the coach. “I think we played according to plan. Our team came into the game mentally prepared and just came out on top.”
Serino feels this particular wins proves that the Middlesex League is a “bit all over the place” and that this proves that on a good day any one can beat another.
He says, “This win obviously bumped us up in the power rankings which is great. It also sent a message to the league that nothing is a given in the ML.”
And there is a lot of season left. Melrose can officially punch a ticket to playoffs with a few more wins and hope to as they travel to Watertown on Friday evening for a 7:00 p.m. game and will next host rival Wakefield at home on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.