WAKEFIELD — The Boston Globe released their annual top 20 statewide rankings for boys’ soccer yesterday. Wakefield High was represented as the No. 14 team in the rankings.
The Warriors are the highest-ranked team in the Middlesex League, edging out Lexington who comes in at No. 15.
Wakefield is one of four teams from Div. 2 in the top 20, joining No. 2 Oliver Ames — the D2 state champion in each of the last three seasons — No. 8 Hingham and No. 11 Mansfield.
The Warriors are coming off another terrific season in 2024 following their state finalist run in 2023. Wakefield went 18-3-1 last season, winning the Middlesex League Championship, earning the No. 1 seed in the D2 State Tournament and reaching the Final Four again.
Wakefield will be without two key players from last year in Middlesex League All-Conference, Eastern Mass. Coaches Association All-Stars and captains, Jack Millward and Charles Gagne. Millward, who led the state with 48 goals as a junior last year, transferred to the Rivers School and Gagne, a defensive midfielder, is off to Boston College.
The Warriors still bring back plenty of talent starting with senior captains Aidan Bligh, Matt Keefe and Nik Dhingra.
Bligh, Dhingra and seniors Aden Stevenson and Danny Kidder will anchor what should be one of the best back lines in the state.
Junior Alex De Morais and Keefe, both midfielders last year, will be counted on to shoulder more of the scoring load this season. Bligh, Keefe and De Morais were all All-Stars last season.
Wakefield’s starting goalie returns as sophomore Kai Mercer is back after a strong freshman debut.
More key returners to the midfield and forward groups include junior Guy Revah and seniors Mhamed Boukataya, Isaac Melo and Edgard Meneguello.
Wakefield’s strong foundation will provide plenty to work with for head coach Matt Angelo (WMHS ’05), the 2023 Boston Globe Coach of the Year after guiding the Warriors to their first state finals appearance since 1997.
Wakefield has a final tuneup tomorrow against North Reading before starting their regular season on Tuesday with a home game against Arlington at 4:15 p.m.