Melrose gets the deal done, 1-0
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—Family and friends were on hand on Monday evening at Fred Green Field to both celebrate Senior Night and watch Melrose pick up a key win over Woburn, 1-0.
Melrose remains a healthy 3-1-1 in the ML Freedom League and 4-7-1 overall. Despite recent losses to Lexington and Wellesley in recent games, the 1-0 victory came at the right time for Melrose, who is poised to rematch arch rival Wakefield at home on Wednesday (post deadline)
Prior to the game against the Woburn Tanners, Melrose saluted their 13 seniors who include captains John Arens, Owen Brodeur, Tyler Lecomte and Dan Muller, along with Aiden Barber, Matteo Giovanardi, Gabe Dixon, Brendan Radzik, Owen Mujalli, Owen Erelli, Emmanuel Samson, Dante Lamentea, and Dylan Terranova.
Melrose’s lone goal came courtesy of Owen Brodeur with an assist by John Arens, who returned to the lineup following an injury that delayed his season.
“Woburn is always a battle, always close,” says Melrose head coach Dean Serino. “They are a team who comes through the middle and is physical and well coached. It was nice to have John [Arens] back in the lineup. I’m not sure when we’ve had a full lineup in. But we are plugging away and I thought we played well defensively.”
He notes specifically Owen Mujalli, “He wins air balls and has helped us preserve our recent shutouts.”
At the net, Matteo Giovanardi was once again strong but was forced to come out after an aggressive play from Woburn, and was relieved by Owen Brown, who was also on the receiving end of some Woburn blows that resulted in a Tanners yellow card. Nonetheless Melrose persevered. “We have two outstanding goalies and are so lucky we do,” notes Serino.
When asked about his seniors, honored that evening before the game, Serino tipped his cap. “These kids are fantastic. They all got in in the game and played great. These are very, very academic kids who love soccer and are doing to do really well in life.”
Melrose previously fell to a red hot Wellesley 4-1, with Melrose’s only goal from Tyler Lecomte in a PK. That type of strong competition can only help Melrose prepare for what they hope will be another playoff run. Melrose has consistently made playoffs nearly every year for at least a decade. Current Power Rankings have them at 34, just slightly outside the window. But there is plenty of season left, including a whole other round of ML Freedom games. That includes rival Wakefield, who Melrose was scheduled to rematch this week. Their first game was a 2-1 heartbreaker.
Says the coach, “This will be a huge game for us. They are ranked nearly #1 in Div. 2 but it was a close battle last time.”
The game will also take place at the West Knoll grass field which makes the contest unpredictable overall.
From here to the end of the season, the coach wants to focus on small improvements. “I want to see this team transition better. We’re working on some midfield strategies. There is no quit with these kids. No complaints. I trust they will get it done.”