Weekly Sports Roundup, September 19 - September 25

Football
The Wakefield High football team improved to 2-0 against teams from the Middlesex League Large School Division, and 2-1 overall, with a 33-0 whitewashing of Winchester on Sept. 23 at Landrigan Field.

Wakefield picked up the convincing homecoming-day win thanks to a tremendous team effort that saw five separate Warriors reach the end zone. Leading the charge offensively was Josh Puccio, who collected 97 yards and one touchdown—a 3-yard jaunt to open Wakefield’s account on the day—while Zach Bates picked up 65 yards, also hitting pay dirt with a 15-yard score in the second quarter. Dan Cardillo broke loose for a 20-yard touchdown scamper in the first quarter, while Matt McKenna hauled in a 34-yard touchdown pass from James Bourque in the third quarter. Sam Benoit capped off Wakefield’s scoring on the day with a 1-yard run in the final frame, giving the Warriors their final margin of victory.

On the defensive end of the equation, Wakefield was led by Alec Brown, Mike Amentola, Nick Salamone and Tyler MacDonald.

Next up for Wakefield is Belmont, another ML Large opponent, on Oct. 1 at Landrigan Field.

Boys Soccer - Wakefield High
The Warriors battled Melrose on Sept. 20, but found little success against their ML Small rivals, succumbing 5-0 under the Red Raiders' attack. The loss leaves Wakefield still searching for its first win of the fall campaign.

Girls Soccer - Wakefield High
The Lady Warriors also took on Melrose on Sept. 20, and while they were able to keep the scoreline closer than their male counterparts, they were also unable to come away with a result, falling 3-2 against the Red Raiders.

Boys Soccer -  Northeast Metro Tech
The Knights began the week with a 4-1 loss against Haverhill’s Whittier Tech on Sept. 19, but bounced back against Commonwealth Athletic Conference Upper Division competition on Sept. 21, with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Greater Lowell. The Knights are now 5-2 overall and 3-1 in CAC Upper play.

Girls Soccer - Northeast Metro Tech
The Northeast Metro girls soccer team notched a 5-1 win over Greater Lawrence on Sept. 20, thanks to a great all-around team effort, but failed to build upon the win, and fell to Greater Lowell, 6-0, on Sept. 22. The Knights return to the pitch on Sept. 26 against Shawsheen Tech.

Golf - Wakefield High
The Warriors (2-7 overall, 1-2 ML Small) played four times last week against Middlesex League competition, and after losing the first three, were able to salvage a win. Wakefield lost to Woburn on Sept. 19 by a score of 42-30 at Woburn Country Club, and then dropped contests against Winchester (46.5-25.5) and Belmont (45-27) on the following two days. On Sept. 22, however, the Warriors found the recipe they needed, and bested Melrose, 37.5-34.5 at the Bellevue Golf Course. Freshman Kevin Lamattina put the closely-fought contest away with a 6-3 win at number eight, giving the Warriors the win with the last-match victory. Senior co-captain Brian Melanson pulled out a 5-4 win, senior Matt Smith prevailed 5.5-3.5, Kyle Leone won 5-4, Colin Horrigan triumphed at number six, 5.5-3.5 and junior Matt Carney split his match 4.5-4.5.

Wakefield returns to the links on Sept. 26 against Swampscott at Bear Hill Golf Club.

Field Hockey - Wakefield High
The Lady Warriors began the week on the wrong end of a 5-0 decision against ML Small table-toppers Watertown, but followed that up with a 3-0 win over Melrose on Sept. 21, snapping a four-game season-opening losing streak. The following day, Wakefield welcomed Burlington to Walsh Field, and when all was said and done, the Lady Warriors walked away with a narrow 1-0 win, and now have themselves a genuine winning streak, modest though it may be. Senior captain Erin Riley scored the game’s lone goal just under five minutes into the first half, with senior Sam Morris collecting the assist. Junior net-minder Bailey Finocchio, a relative newcomer to the role for WHS, played well and recorded eight saves in keeping the clean sheet.

Swimming - Wakefield High
Wakefield (0-3) swam against Belmont on Sept. 21, and the Lady Warriors nearly got themselves into the win column, but fell just short, and dropped the meet 88-82. Freshman Shannon Quirk sealed a spot in the MIAA Sectional and State competitions in the 200 freestyle, winning the event with a time of 2:06.93. She also took the 100 free in 59.81. Rebecca Quirk, Shannon’s older sister, also achieved qualification for sectionals and states in the 200 individual medley, taking the top spot in 2:28.29. Rebecca Quirk also won the 500 freestyle with a 5:51.22 mark. Junior Emily Medeiros qualified for sectionals and states in the 100 breaststroke, finishing in 1:14.23, while also winning the 100 butterfly in 1:06.23. Wakefield also qualified its 400 free relay team of Rebecca Quirk, Sarah Dickey, Shannon Quirk and Megan McLean, as their time of 4:08.32 ensures them a place in states and sectionals.

Road Racing - Mystic Runners Lake Q 5k
The weekly run around Lake Quannapowitt was held on Sept. 21, and Middleton’s Greg Mastrangelo pulled down the top spot. The 27-year-old harrier finished the course in 19.44, and went home with the victory. Reading’s James Carlson placed second with a time of 20.37, while Gerry McDonald, also a Reading resident, took third at 20.50. Needham’s Rick Savage placed fourth at 21.40, while Dave Krom, of Worcester, rounded out the top five at 21.59. Krissy Nowell was the fleetest female—and also the swiftest Wakefeldian—finishing in 24.21, good enough for 13th overall.