By DAN PAWLOWSKI
WAKEFIELD — The Wakefield High field hockey team hosted rival Melrose on Tuesday, looking for a season sweep against their rivals.
In their first matchup in Melrose, the Warriors erased a 1-0 deficit with three unanswered goals in the second half to win it 3-1.
Although the route was slightly different, the end result was the same on Tuesday as Wakefield outscored Melrose 2-0 in the second half with goals by seniors Juliana Spaulding and Maya Neal for a 3-1 victory, improving to 5-8-2 overall.
“It was exactly what we needed. This is the type of field hockey we play – the intensity level was great,” said Wakefield head coach Cara Luca. “The second half was much better than the first half. I told them at halftime, ‘you have to step up the intensity.’”
Wakefield wasn’t outplayed in the first; it’s just that they knew another level could be reached. Neal scored the first goal of the game for Wakefield and a well-played half ended 1-1 as both teams worked hard to find an advantage.
The 3rd quarter ended with no goals but plenty of action and a few good chances for both teams. Senior captain Abby Hodgdon had a strong block and clear to start the 3rd and senior Juliana Spaulding worked hard to control the midfield, winning back multiple possessions and starting up Wakefield’s attack.
Melrose’s goalie had a few signature saves to keep the game level throughout the 3rd and Wakefield’s senior goalie Hallie Glennon matched it with a couple of strong stops, most especially on an impressive left pad save on a Melrose corner at the start of the 4th.
Neal had an electric run that led to another great chance as the Warriors continued to stick with it. The clock ticked down toward the 5 minute mark, but Wakefield never panicked, especially in the midfield where they were controlling play all game.
“The midfield was the glue today,” said Luca. “Our defense played well too, with Abby (Hodgdon) making a few good defensive stops along with Sophia (DeAngelis), Stella (Bangston) and of course Hallie making a couple of key saves.”
Even still, as Wakefield tilted the field, the pressure was on for the home to find a goal and earn a win.
After senior captain Erin Leary kept a Melrose clear attempt in the offensive zone, which led to a corner, Luca called a timeout.
“When I called that timeout I said ‘girls I have so much confidence in you I know you can get this goal’”.
Although that immediate corner was blocked, the Warriors stuck with it as senior Gianna Tulipani earned another soon after with some great hustle near the shooting circle.
Luca’s play call on this corner was a set piece meant to combat the one defender that Melrose was sending out while the rest stayed back. Senior Nicole Dowd made the extra pass to Spaulding up top where she let loose a cannon that made it’s way through traffic and into the back of the net for the 2-1 lead with 3:40 left.
Soon after, DeAngelis had a good stop as Melrose put everything into looking for an equalizer.
The Warriors held on as the clock ticked down, looking to avoid a last-second goal.
As it happened, there was a buzzer-beater – only it belonged to Wakefield.
In one of their best sequences of the season, some terrific passing through the midfield ended with senior Maddie DeFeo carrying into space and finding Tulipani who scored just before the horn sounded to end the game, setting off a Wakefield celebration and a victory that was well-earned.
“The last goal was just beautiful,” said Luca. “It was everything we’ve been working on in transition. We’ve worked on that all season and it happened perfectly.”
The Warriors now enter the homestretch with their sights set squarely on the Div. 3 state tournament. They were ranked No. 32 in the latest MIAA power rankings. The top 32 ranked teams automatically qualify.
Says Luca, “I told the girls, ‘there’s 11 seniors on this team, do you want the season to end on the 26th or do you want it to keep going?’”
Wakefield has three games left, all against Middlesex League Freedom Division opponents. They host Stoneham today at 4 p.m. and Burlington on Tuesday at 6 p.m. before finishing against undefeated Watertown on Oct. 26 at home.
The Spartans, led this year by Wakefield field hockey alum Vanessa Kaddaras, beat Wakefield 6-3 on Sept. 22.
As for Burlington, that game will be Wakefield’s senior day. The Warriors will likely need at least one win to keep their state tourney goals alive.