Boys/Girls Soccer Teams Gear Up For Playoffs

The Medford High boys and girls soccer teams both took first place in the Greater Boston League this year, and with the regular season officially over, both teams will be opening the postseason at home on Saturday. 

Medford and Everett finished one and two respectively in the GBL this year, and as luck would have it, will face each other in the opening round on Saturday at 6 p.m.

The Mustangs swept the season series, notching a 2-0 win at home on Sept. 29 and a 1-0 victory at Everett on Oct. 22.

The Crimson Tide finished at 4-3 in the GBL and 6-5-2 overall, while Medford went 7-0-2 in league play and 12-2-5 overall.

The Mustangs (ninth seed) have yet to lose a match against a league opponent this season, and will be looking to keep this streak alive in the preliminary round of the tourney, while Everett, seeded 24th in the brackets, will be upset-minded and hoping to avenge the two regular season losses against its nearby rival.

"It's very hard to beat a team three times," said Medford head coach Mike Petrides. "But our kids are looking forward to the match."

In order for the Mustangs to be successful, they will need to neutralize some of Everett's speedier players like David Lima, as well as control the midfield.

"We need Jonathan Pires and Manny Gonzalez," said Petrides. "Those two kids have to control the midfield. We need to hold the middle and limit (Everett) to outside chances. Our team relies on the midfield, and (Pires and Gonzalez) are the generals. That's what we call them."

The one thing Petrides wants to avoid is being drawn into a shootout, as the coach knows the wisdom in the old adage about defense winning championships.

"You have to be able to hold a one goal lead," said Petrides. "If you can do that, you're going to go deep in the playoffs. The pressure will be high ... but our defense has been solid, so we'll see what happens."

As always, the match is sure to be hotly contested as is the case with any GBL affair. The proximity of all the towns in the league makes for an exciting atmosphere, and it the Mustangs execute their game plan, then they stand an excellent chance of walking off the pitch with heads held high, and their ticket to the next round firmly in hand. 

Medford Girls To Host Andover 

The girls team was also dominant against GBL teams, going 8-0-1, with the lone blemish being a 0-0 draw against Somerville on Tuesday, after Medford had already sewn up the GBL.

The 12th seeded Mustangs will host Merrimack Valley Conference opponent Andover, the 21st seed, on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in the preliminary round of the Div. 1 North Sectionals.

The Golden Warriors finished third in the ultra-competitive MVC large school division, and posted an overall mark of 8-9-2, while Medford was 11-5-3 against all competition.

While Andover and Medford did not face each other during the regular season, they do share a common opponent: the Dracut Middies.

The Mustangs split a pair of matches against the MVC small school side, winning 1-0 on Oct. 13 and falling 2-1 on Oct. 29. Andover faced the Middies on October 7 and emerged on the glory side of a 3-0 decision.

"I think it's going to be pretty evenly matched game," said Medford head coach Rachel Perry. "The girls are up for it. We've had some great practices, and we're really excited and pumped up for it."

The Mustangs' defense has been positively stifling this year, and will need to continue the form that has seen Medford pitch 11 shutouts in 18 games, and concede just 14 goals on the year. The back line was so good this season that no GBL opponent managed to score against the Mustangs all year. 

As if that weren't enough stopping power, Medford also boasts the GBL's season MVP in net-minder Jackie Pellecchia, whose prowess between the pipes led to her garnering the accolade at last night's GBL coaches meeting.

Perry knows however, that in order for her side to secure a spot in the next round, her forwards must find the back of the net.

"Our offense has to step up," said the coach. "They have to be able to score, and put the ball in the net."