Sports: Fluky Goals End Boys’, Girls’ Soccer Playoff Runs

November 12, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker 1 Comment

Photo: The no-goal against Belmont v. Masco.

A pair of goals that were more fortuitous than skillful put an end to both Belmont High School soccer teams post-season runs this week.

Despite controlling most of its game against Danvers, Girls’ soccer were victims to two chips that appeared to be attended passes rather than shots to lose 2-0 in its Division 2 North semifinals match played at Manning Stadium in Lynn on Friday, Nov. 11.

“Just couldn’t get a break,” said Belmont Girls’ Head Coach Paul Graham after the game. “We had 20 minutes more of possession; we controlled the game and could have easily been 2-1 at the half.”

Over in Boxboro on Nov. 8, Belmont Boys’ not only had to contend not only with one but two goals that took unkind b0unces against hosts Masconomet Regional High School; the Marauders were deprived of penalties not called in the penalty area in addition to a goal that was not awarded despite having gone over the goal line.

“It was disappointing because their goals were fluky, but they outplayed us for most of the game, and you can’t win without possessing the ball,” said Boys’ Head Coach Brian Bisceglia-Kane.

Girls: Two chips with no salsa end Belmont’s run

It was a game in which the elements played a part; the harsh, fall-seasonal setting sun blinded the goal at the east side of the field while a stiff wind favored the team heading westward. And it turned out the Falcons took advantage of the sun early and the wind at the start of the second half.

Belmont came into the game after destroying Boston Latin Academy, 10-0, on Election Day, with a plan to stop Danvers which beat Beverly and Woburn 4-0. They would play with four defenders with senior Julia Cella playing man-to-man against Nicole White, the Falcon’s scoring threat who came in with four goals in the playoffs.

After eight minutes of feeling out each other, Danvers’ second time deep into Belmont’s territory struck paydirt as a White pass into the penalty area – and into the sun – caused a bit of confusion between Belmont’s goalkeeper senior Georgia Parsons and a defender which allowed the ball to bounce towards the Falcon’s Lydia Runnals who headed the ball softly into the net at the 32 minute mark.

After the goal, Belmont’s midfielders began taking control as senior Anna Alibrandi and junior Emma Sass started beating the most physical Falcons to the ball. Belmont’s passes were being directed to Belmont’s top scorer junior Cary Allard who outpaced the left side of Danvers’ defense.

Belmont’s first chance of the half came with 21 minutes remaining when Cella sent a pass from the right corner into the box where Allard and senior Ally Meringer had shots which were blocked by defenders.

The Marauders’ brightest opportunity came with 13 minutes remaining as great passing by Allard and junior Emily Duffy left sophomore Morgan Krausse alone 15 meters from Danvers junior goalkeeper Mackenzie Gilmore. But Krausse pushed her shot wide right.

Marauders’ final chance began with Allard who sent a quick pass along the goal line hitting Danvers’ freshman defender Abbi Clickstein which forced Gilmore to make the potential own-goal save just before the half.

While Belmont’s halftime talk was to quickly find an equalizer, it was the Falcons’ that scored as a high chip by freshman Abby Cash was caught in the 30 mph gust and flew over Parsons’ head in the first four minutes into the second half.

Up by two, Danvers put eight players in front of the ball, making ineffective Belmont’s passing offense. While Belmont dominated play in half, it could not get a good shot off in the 40 minute half. A corner kick with five minutes remaining dropped into a no man’s land 20 meters where senior defender Rachel Berets long-distance shot missed the left post by a few meters.

The game’s ended as the sun finally set and the wind died down. Tears and crying were not hidden as player hugged friends and teammates. The team will miss seniors Anna Alibrandi, Ali Bailey, Rachel Berets, Julia Cella, Julia Delhome, Ally Meringer, Georgia Parsons, Giulia Rufo and Nicole Thoma.

“I am so proud of this group; I’ve got tears in my eyes too,” Graham told the team. “You’ve worked so hard; it was an absolute joy to coach you kids.”

Boys’: When is a goal not a goal? When it’s not called

Down by two with less than 10 minutes left in a frustrating game, it appeared that Belmont had found the answer to a Masconomet Regional team whose top-notched work rate was not to be denied. A wonderful centering pass by senior Daron Hamparian found Belmont’s junior defender Kostas Tingos five meters from the Chieftains’ goal.

Tingos’ header eluded goalkeeper Derek Davidson and hit the crossbar with the ball shooting downward. After bouncing on the ground and heading into the net when a Masco defender wrapped his right leg around the ball as his left was on the goal line. As most of the fans and Belmont players close to the goal demanded the goal – as they saw the ball go over the line – the referee stationed midway down the goal line refused to call it, recalling Frank Lampard’s disallowed goal vs. Germany in the 2010 World Cup.

After a game in which both officials decided to keep their whistles deep in their pockets, it came to be expected that a goal would not be awarded on a close play. While Belmont’s outstanding senior midfielder Luckson Dambo goal from a scramble in front of the goalmouth cut the 2-0 lead in half, it came with four minutes remaining which gave Belmont little time to finish its comeback.

The “un”-goal came after a pair of Belmont forwards being brought down inside the penalty area which was not whistled, as a chippy game allowed the physical to trump skills in a match played on a pitch that resembled a meadow.

“The grass played into [the outcome], the fact that we are not a small field team,” said Bisceglia-Kane.

While Belmont was able to more than hold its own against the defending Division 2 North champions, they had difficulty in keeping the ball in the Masco end of the field as the Chieftains were able to front Belmont player and cut off many of the passing lanes.

It appeared that Belmont had its breakthrough with 24 minutes remaining in the half when Hamparian was knocked down as he was heading for the goal well within the penalty box. But the ref made no signal on the challenge, apparently believing Hamparian fell over too easily.

“We had a good spurt in the first half when we started playing better and moving the ball around in the middle of the first half,” said Bisceglia-Kane.

Defensively, Belmont’s back four of seniors Antranig Boynerian, and Ed Stafford along with John Campbell and Tingos kept Masco’s forwards well in check, allowing junior netkeeper Nate Esplin to push back any threats.

While Masco could not fight past the Belmont defense, its first goal was just fluky. Chieftain’s sophomore forward Matt Dzwil took what appeared to be a miss-shot from 20 meters that hit off the crossbar and bounced off the back of the head of a surprised Esplin into the net and giving Masco a 1-0 halftime lead.

Up by one, Masco came out seeking to double their advantage and nearly did as junior midfielder Laurent Brabo swept a ball off of Belmont’s goal line and Esplin made an acrobatic punch save five minutes into the half.

Then it was Belmont’s turn to push forward as Luckson just missed the net after a pretty passing combination and Hamparian was dragged down just inside the penalty area but once more no call.

Masco then scored its second goal with 16 minutes to play as Dzwil floated a ball towards the box only to see his pass float into the back of the net.

While Belmont took control of the final 10 minutes, it could not bring enough pressure on the host’s end to make a difference. With the final whistle, Belmont exited the tournament with a big upset – 2-1 OT victory over Concord Carlise – and a lot of “what ifs.”

“I remind the guys you’ve got to respect the effort that you put in, and these guys put a ton in the season. But you have to remember that his is a game and you’re here to have fun. Never be too high or too low. So they can leave here without any regrets because they put it all on the field today,” said Bisceglia-Kane.

Sporting Moves: Belmont Savings Assists Press Box, Boosters ‘B’ Drives

November 9, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: What a new press box will look like in the fall of 2017.

In less than a week, Belmont’s most prominent business has scored big with the town’s high school athletic program.

On Monday, Nov. 7, the Belmont Savings Bank Foundation announced a $15,000 donation to complete the fundraising effort to build a new, state-of-the-art press box at Belmont High School’s Harris Field.

A week earlier, the foundation made a $7,500 matching donation that supported the annual fundraising effort of the Belmont Boosters, which this year yielded nearly $19,000.

“The Belmont Savings Bank Foundation’s matching gift is critical to the success of the Booster “B” Drive not only because of its significance in terms of sheer dollars, but also because it’s a major rallying point for the BHS parents and student-athletes who make it all happen,” said Booster’s President Larry Christofori.

Completing the Press Box

After nearly a decade during which the designated press area has been officially closed, it is now expected a rebuilt press box will be up and running by the opening of the 2017 fall and football season.

“We are more than happy to help make the press box for Belmont High School and its student athletes a reality.” said Hal Tovin, executive vice president and COO of Belmont Savings Bank and director of the Foundation.

“It will be a wonderful addition to Harris Field as well as the town of Belmont itself,” he said.

In 2002, Harris Field was rebuilt with an all-weather turf and track, seating and lighting. Initially, a press box was included in plans before funding fell short. Last year, a group of residents and Belmont High School athletic boosters created a Harris Field Building Committee with the goal of raising $240,000 to make the press box project a reality,

Belmont’s Town Meeting approved $165,000 for the project, leaving $75,000 to be raised by private sources. With the help of private organizations, individual donors, and groups that support Belmont sports teams, the town was able to raise much of those private funds with Belmont Savings put the program over the top with the last $15,000 donation.

With the addition of the press box, both the school and the community will procure multiple benefits as students will see improved game coaching and film capabilities for instruction between games and employees and volunteers who staff events at Harris Field will have a more comfortable experience.

Boosters find the funds

While the press box will be used by coaches and the media, the money raised each year by the parents run Belmont Boosters provides revenue for items unfunded by the Belmont High School Athletic Department budget through individual grant requests, the purchase of varsity letterman’s jackets and investing in capital equipment and facilities.

Previously the Boosters funded the renovation of the White Field House and the school’s Fitness Center and the laying of a new floor/court at the Wenner Field House.

In late October, the student-athletes were divided into teams and followed a route in Belmont to solicit contributions through door-to-door engagement with the community. In exchange for a donation of $20, supporters received a Belmont “B” which can be displayed in a window in support of the school athletic program.

“We are more than happy to match the efforts of our student-athletes, who work so hard alongside the Booster parent volunteers to ensure their programs are properly funded,” said Tovin.

The mission of the Belmont Savings Bank Foundation is to provide financial support to organizations in the communities served by Belmont Savings Bank, particularly those committed towards education, health and human services, youth programs, and affordable housing.

Sports: Upset Soccer Saturday! Girls’ Down Winchester in PKs, Boys’ Put Away C-C in OT

November 6, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Marina Karalis after winning the playoff game vs. Winchester.

A pair of youngsters scored the biggest goals of the season for both of Belmont High School soccer teams as the boys’ and girls’ in dramatic fashion upset two top five seeds in the first round of the Division 2 North Sectionals on Saturday, Nov. 5.

Freshman Marina Karalis, who spent most of the season on junior varsity, buried a sudden death penalty kick past Winchester junior keeper Silvia Dowdell on the team’s sixth attempt as the Marauders shocked the Sachems, 4-3, in penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw in regular time and after two 10-minute extra periods.

“I actually was really scared [going to the 11-meter penalty spot] but once I put the ball down, I said ‘I can do this,'” said Karalis who was brought up to the varsity after a series of injuries left three starters on the bench.

Over in Concord, Belmont stunned one-loss Concord-Carlisle Regional, 2-1, as sophomore midfielder Seamus Dullaghan tucked in the winning goal past Colonials’ goalie Will Palmer “at the death” in the first 10-minute overtime.

Third time’s a charm as girls’ knock off Sachems

Belmont came to Winchester having been comprehensively defeated in both league matches with the Middlesex League Liberty champions, losing 5-2 on Belmont’s Seniors Night Oct. 25 and 3-0 on their last visit to Winchester on Sept. 27.

“When we found out we were playing Winchester, we were bummed because it was the only team we did not want to play,” said Georgia Parsons, the team’s senior goalkeeper.

“But as we practiced, we just turned it around and took this negative and turned it into a positive,” she said.

With Belmont in an end-of-the-season slump – having gone 0-3-2 in its final five league games – Belmont Head Coach Paul Graham switched the team’s formation to a more defensive 4-4-2 (four back line defenders and four midfielders). The new defensive alignment – with senior co-captain Rachel Berets, junior Natalie Marcus Bauer and sophomores Emily Dexter and Megan Tan – filled in space on the field which the Sachems exploited in the earlier matches.

Graham and his assistant, Michelle Henry, also focused on speed, placing the Cella sisters – senior co-captain Julia (a state finalist in track) and sophomore Olivia – on the wings to keep the Sachems defense from targeting league scoring champion junior Carey Allard.

In the front of midfielders junior Emma Sass and senior Anna Alibrandi, sophomore Ella Gagnon used her size and speed to clog passing lanes and act as a second outlet for the offense.

The changes proved effective as Belmont shut down Winchester’s scoring stalwarts, senior Yasmine Boukari and junior striker Kate Ryan, for the first 40 minutes, playing what Graham called “the best half we’ve played all season” as the Marauders held the hosts to a scoreless draw at halftime.

Winchester, who came in with 13 wins (13-4-2), was able to keep the ball in Belmont’s end “but like the [New England] Patriots, while we did bend, we did not break in the back,” said Graham.

“It’s tournament, and everyone is so focused,” said Parson.

Belmont’s defense was breached early in the second half on a set piece as Ryan headed in a loose ball off a corner with 35 minutes remaining in the game.

But in just 145 seconds the Marauders had its equalizer from Allard who, despite being drapped by senior midfielder Phoebe Sauer, hit a 20-meter wonder strike that hit the left corner of the net out of Dowdell’s reach at the 33-minute mark.

A few minutes later, Allard nearly gave Belmont the lead when she was sent in alone against Dowdell only to see her chip sail inches over the crossbar.

The remainder of both the half and both overtimes were physical affairs, with the Sachems willing to throw its weight around and to challenge Belmont’s possession as the Marauders could not find an offensive rhythm, only bothering Winchester on the counter attack.

And the Sachems came close several times to winning it all; the closest was Boukari’s hard shot from her solo run down the right side that Parsons got her fingertips to nudge it just wide of the far post.

With his team feeling the effects of an hour and a half of rough and tumble play and the home team pushing forward, Graham started substituting players with one purpose in mind: get to penalty kicks.

“[Winchester] was dominating us in the final 15 minutes and I told [Henry] ‘I’m going to stall for time so I could get into PKs’,” said Graham.

And Belmont’s reputation when the game is determined at the 11-meter spot is much like the German National Team which hasn’t lost a tournament game on penalties.

“We practice them every practice, not just the shotters but our goalies. And I just knew [Parsons] would get one,” said Graham.

“All I knew is that I was ready. We always practice penalty kicks at the end of practice, and I know my abilities, and I knew I was going to be able to stop a shot. I really believed in myself,” said Parsons.

Despite misses by Allard (a save) and Drew Bates (over the crossbar), Julia Cella, Sass and Berets scored to tie the score at three goals after the mandatory five shots.

On Wnchester’s sixth kick, Parsons dove left and parried senior Isabel Bush’s shot just past the post.

It was then up to Karalis who received last second words of encouragement from Allard before striding up and placing a well-placed shot well beyond Dowdell’s reach.

“I looked at the goalie, and I looked left, but I shot it right, so I tried to trick her,” said the ninth-grader.

When asked why he selected the only freshman on the team to take such an important attempt, Graham said “I have confidence in her. Some of the kids asked not to shot, and I respect that. So after the fifth shot, I went over to Marina and said, ‘You’re sixth, ‘ and she did the job.”

As for the game, Graham – who last year won his 300th game as Marauders head coach – expressed the victory in the simplest of phrases.

“Another state victory. I love it,” he said with a smile.

Belmont next plays at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, Election Day, against Boston Latin. The game will be played at Boston English High School on the Jamaica Plain/Roxbury line in Boston.

Boys’ Send Colonials’ Packing

After falling behind 1-0 at half-time, Belmont picked up the pace and began dominating the second half as its defense, led by senior co-captain Edward Stafford, put the clamps on the Colonial forwards.

“In the first half, we were playing to the other team’s strengths like balls in the air,” said senior striker Daron Hamparian.

“At halftime, we realized that we need to play to our strengths which include passes on the ground to succeed,” said the team co-captain who hit the top left post on a free kick from 30 meters just minutes before the team’s opening goal.

The Marauders’ first goal was a thing of beauty as keeper Nate Espelin’s long goal kick was gathered by Belmont’s stylish midfielder Luckson Dambo whose pinpoint through ball found junior Marc Musser who finished with a flourish to tied up the score.

The Marauders relied on Espelin to keep the Marauders in the game as the junior made an acrobatic stop on Colonial defender Will Tappen a minute before the tying score.

With the match appearing to head to a second overtime period, Belmont put the game away on the counter. Dullaghan’s initial shot on goal off a Hamparian cross was blocked by a defender. The bouncing ball was picked up by junior Jake Carson who slotted it towards the net. The shot was deflected by Palmer and hit the post, rebounding out to Dullaghan who tapped it in with less than a minute remaining.

“We played hard for a full 88 minutes, and it worked out in the end. It was a true team effort that we feel will propel us to the next game,” said Hamparian.

Belmont next plays Masco Regional in Topsfield on Tuesday, Election Day, Nov. 8 at 2 p.m.

Sports: Belmont Field Hockey Cools Off Lexington, 4-1, as Birthday Girl Leads the Way

October 23, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: AnnMarie Habelow (center) and Julia Chase (right).

Playing its most complete game of the season, Belmont High Field Hockey swept aside a red-hot Lexington High squad, 4-1, in a critical game for the Middlesex League Liberty championship played under the lights Thursday, Oct. 20, at Harris Field.

Goals by newly-promoted forward sophomore Bridget Gardiner (11 minutes into the game) and junior Alexa Sabatino (midway through the first half) were coupled by a pair in the second half – senior co-captain AnnMarie Habelow at the 21-minute mark and freshman Katie Guden with 8 minutes left – as Belmont controlled the play for long stretches.

A lone goal by Minuteman’s Cecilia Brennan with 7 minutes remaining in the game spoiled goalie’s Christina McLeod shutout.

“We’re gelling as a team and you saw it tonight as this game was the best of the year,” said Belmont Head Coach Jessica Smith.

“We dominated that entire game. Everyone stepped up against Lexington,” said Habelow, who celebrated her 50th regular season victory over her four varsity seasons.

“Towards the end of the season, the last five games are our best played because we’re all use to each other,” she said.

Ranked 12th in the Boston Globe’s Field Hockey poll, Belmont now stands at 12-2-0, handing Lexington (11-4-0, ranked 20th) its fourth overall loss and second defeat to the Marauders this season. Belmont next plays second place Winchester (10-2-2, ranked 5th) – which beat Belmont three weeks ago, 3-1 – in a game that decides whether the Marauders retains an outright title or shares one with Winchester.

The game is at Winchester on Monday, Oct. 24 at 3:30 p.m.

Before the game, Smith made a tactical switch placing freshman forward Guden in the midfield and putting sophomore Gardiner at inside forward. The move allowed Gardiner – who plays ice hockey for Belmont High – to use her physical presence in front of the goal to great effectiveness (her goal came from challenging for the ball and directing it in) while Guden thrived partnering with Habelow and Lilly Devitt developing the offense through the middle.

“That move was phenominal,” said Habelow of the switch. “She’s a natural.”

Smith said she was most impressed with the team passing throughout the match.

“They are looking to each other that it’s just beautiful to see,” she said. Belmont’s passing was able to release fowards Sabatino, Jordan Leffiere and sophomore Morgan Chase, who used her deft dribbling to weave through the defense to take four in-close shots, only to be robbed twice of certain goals by Lexington’s goalie Abbie Ortyl who was outstanding Wednesday.

While the victory was highlighted by the outstanding show of skill and work rate by the 11 players, Habelow dominated the action. One day short of her 18th birthday, the two-time Boston Globe All-Scholastic and senior captain – who is committed to play at NCAA Division 1 Top 10 Louisville – demonstrated a level of maturity and polish that, with her innate leadership, saw her control the game’s tempo and direction.

When Lexington – which defeated at the time league-leader Winchester, 2-1, on Monday, Oct. 17 – attempted to use its athleticism to swamp Belmont on the counterbreak, Habelow tracked back to bolster an already steady backline of Molly Goldberg, Meri Powers and defensive stalwart, UNH-commit Julia Chase which Smith called “a wall all night” who put the clamps on Lexington’s senior Emily DeVine.

“The thing about AnnMarie is now she’s really fighting to recover back and that’s helping us so much because she’s getting it back. And that helps our whole transition,” said Smith.

On offense, Habelow – who sees double and triple player defenses employed against her – can methodicially move the ball with her stick skills or simply blast the long ball to teammates. An she is more than capable to powerhit a ball from nearly 20 meters into the back of the net.

“I know what it feels like when I put in that extra effort. It’s not a good feeling not playing well so it’s always fun to try as hard as I possibly can,” said Habelow.

With the Winchester rematch on Monday, Smith said the team is more motivated as the season comes to a close “so I’m hoping from here they keep playing like they did tonight for the rest of the season.”

Here’s Your Chance to Help Belmont High Sports: Support the ‘B’ Drive

October 22, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Something everyone can use.

The Belmont Boosters Club will be holding its annual Fall Fundraising “B” Drive on Sunday, Oct. 23 from noon to 2 p.m.

This is a door-to-door campaign during which BHS student-athletes canvass the town on specific routes, soliciting donations for the Belmont Boosters Club, a 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to provide funding for items that are outside of the school’s athletic budget.

In the past five years alone, the Boosters has donated approximately $150,000 across a broad range of Belmont High School athletic programs, in addition to providing all of the varsity “letter jackets” earned by high school athletes and awarded during the seasonal athletic-award ceremonies held throughout the school year.

The Fall Fundraising Drive is an integral component of the Boosters’ overall fundraising efforts and is critical to its ability to support BHS athletic programs in a meaningful way.

Please donate.

Belmont Students Head to the Charles on Sunday For a Long Row

October 22, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker 1 Comment

Photo: Arlington-Belmont Crew at the Head of the Charles.

The 2016 Head of the Charles, rowing’s annual “Woodstock” and one the largest congregation of athletes outside of the Olympics with 11,000 participants, will be well represented by Belmont High School students on the event’s second day, Sunday, Oct. 23.

As members of the Arlington-Belmont Crew Club – made up of high schoolers from both towns – the hometown athletes will be rowing in three youth competitions:

10:05 a.m.: Women’s Youth Eights (bow #41)
11:33 a.m.: Men’s Youth Fours (bow #36)
12:43 p.m.: Men’s Youth Eights (bow #14 – which is ABRC’s highest seed.)

The Belmont High School students rowing and coxing on Sunday include:

Emma Gharibian, Melissa Bazakas-Chamberlain, Alena Jaegar, Sophia Haska, Casey Reed and Alexia Assimakopoulos in the Women’s Youth Eights.
Nick Krom, Lucas Abeln and Nick Hanify in the Men’s Youth Fours.
Charlie Yeh, Adam Cronin, Joe Wenzel and Ian McCabe in the Men’s Youth Eights.

Arlington-Belmont Crew is a club team open to students who attend Belmont and Arlington high school. No prior rowing experience is necessary.

To learn more, speak to a member of the team or read about the team at its website.

Sports: Belmont Field Hockey Face Tough Final Stretch in Defense of Title

October 19, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Molly Goldberg (#24)

In her four years playing field hockey for Belmont High School, Molly Goldberg has been a solid presence on the right side of the Marauders’ back line. In most of the 60-plus games for Belmont, Goldberg rarely ventures past the midfield line.

But that doesn’t mean Goldberg wasn’t hoping for one chance to take a shot and hear the ball hit the back of the net for a goal.

“I’ve wanted a goal just to say I have one,” said Goldberg, who remembered back in her sophomore season when an apparent goal was given to another player.

“I still remember that one,” said Goldberg.

So in a game against a rebuilding Woburn squad on Monday, Oct. 17, with the game in hand, Head Coach Jessie Smith took most of her starters out and allowed her defenders a chance up in the offense.

And with five minutes remaining in the game, Goldberg was in a scrum in front of the Woburn goal and took the shot … and scored. Goldberg, who joined her backline mates Julia Chase and Hanna Power and role player Chloe Brown scoring, waved and skipped up the field in celebration.

“It was great and fun to finally score,” she said.

The Woburn shutout victory is preparation for a tough final three games of the regular season for the Marauders (11-2-0) as they battle to defend their 2015 Middlesex League Liberty Division title against the two teams nipping at their heels.

On Thursday, Oct. 20 at The Harris, Belmont, ranked 12th in the Boston Globe top 20 poll, hosts Lexington (11-3-0, 20th in the top 20) in a battle the first and second place teams in the league. Lexington comes to Belmont having defeated Winchester, the 5th ranked Globe team, on Monday. Belmont defeated the Minutemen in September, 3-0, as freshman Katie Guden scored a hat trick.

The Lexington game will be under the lights starting at 6 p.m.

On Monday, Oct. 24, Belmont travels to Winchester, 9-2-2, for a 3:30 p.m. game. Winchester defeated Belmont at Harris 2-0 three weeks ago.

Belmont finishes the regular season against Reading at home at the Harris on Wednesday, Oct. 26 at 6 p.m. Reading gave Belmont a scare last month, losing 2-1.

Sports: Belmont High Girls’, Boys’ Soccer Are Now Playoff Bound

October 18, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Senior Captain Daron Hamparian

Belmont High’s soccer squads have extended their seasons by qualifying for the MIAA playoffs this past week.

The Boys’, with a record of 7-3-5, secured their place in the post-season with an emphatic 4-1 road victory over the SpyPonders of Arlington High on Thursday, Oct. 13. It marks a return for the Marauders to the Division 2 North playoffs after missing the post-season in 2015, a disappointing follow-up to the sectional semi-final appearance in 2014.

The team, under third-year coach Brian Bisceglia-Kane, has been powered by senior leadership with a backline headed by defender Edward Stafford, with Luckson Dambo controlling the midfield and team scoring leader Daron Hamparian adding punch to the lineup. The season highlighted so far was a 1-0 away victory over a then undefeated and ranked Lexington team.

The boys’ play Woburn home at The Harris on Tuesday, Oct. 18

Belmont Girls’ again visits the playoffs after defeating a depleted Watertown High squad, 8-0, on Tuesday, Oct. 11. The Girls’, at 7-2-3, lost only its second game this season, falling at home to Arlington, 2-0, on Thursday, Oct. 13.

It comes as no surprise that junior left wing/forward Carrie Allard has been the go-to player as she is one of the Middlesex League leading scorers. Goalie Georgia Parsons has six shutouts while seniors Emma Sass and Rachel Berets control the midfield for Paul Graham’s squad.

The girls travel of Woburn on Tuesday for a 5:30 p.m. game.

Both teams are now seeking to finish in the top eight places in Division 2 North to secure an opening round home game.

Allard, Jones Named Belmont Boosters BHS Student-Athlete of the Month

October 16, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Carey Allard (left) and Ben Jones. (Belmont Boosters)

Belmont High junior Carey Allard (soccer) and senior Ben Jones (football) are the inaugural recipients of the Belmont Boosters BHS Student-Athlete-of-the-Month award for September.

Sponsored by the Boosters and in coordination, with the Belmont High School Athletic Department, each month a girl and boy varsity athlete will be selected by an independent panel as a BHS Student-Athlete-of-the-Month.

Nominations are made at the end of every month by Belmont High varsity coaches.

Sports: Belmont’s Comeback Victory Over Winchester Brings Playoffs Closer

October 16, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Belmont senior Dylan Ferdinand intercepts Winchester pass that led to Belmont winning TD.

Senior Running Back Ben Jones’ third touchdown with 19 seconds remaining proved the margin of victory as Belmont High School scored 21 second half points to defeat visiting Winchester High (2-4) Sachems, 28-21, under the Friday night lights, Oct. 14, and send the Marauders (3-3) closer to the MIAA playoffs.

“Ben Jones was a horse, Cal [Christofori] was a horse, Jake Pollack was a horse, the defense came up with a huge, huge interception that gave us the chance to drive the field. A real team effort,” said Belmont Head Coach Yann Kumin after the game.

When asked about a possible playoff appearance, which Belmont has not been a part since 2009, senior co-captain Kevin Martin said this group of players has begun to dispell the past reputation of Belmont football as not being good enough to be invited to the postseason.

“‘Why not us’ has been our mantra this season. Right now it looks like we’re in but why not beat Lexington [Belmont’s opponent next Saturday] and bring a home game to Harris,” said Martin on Senior Night.

Jones ran for 190 yards on 28 carries along with 26 receiving yards. Fellow senior QB Christofori threw for 108 yards – many of those yards to junior WR Pollack – and had a running touchdown as the team gained 356 total yards.

Winchester’s QB Liam Fitzpatrick led the offense for the Sachems with a throwing and running touchdowns. With Belmont keying on his running, the Marauders were exposed by Fitzpatrick’s arm who went 13 of 23 for 248 yards, completing several long passes to his favorite receiver Henry McDonough.

“Fitzpatrick is such a good running quarterback that is what we were concerned with, and it did come back to bite us because he went over the top of our linebackers,” said Kumin.

After a scoreless first quarter – which included a dropped TD by Winchester on its first drive – The Sachems took a 7-0 lead after a sustained drive, including converting on a fourth and one, ending with a screen pass to McDonough who scored at 8:29.

After Belmont could not garner a first down on the next possession, Winchester used trickery with running back Pat Costello taking the hike then handing to Fitzgerald who found McDonough for a 40-yard pass to the Belmont 8. Two plays later, Fitzgerald waltzed into the end zone to put the Sachems up 14-0 with just under six minutes.

Belmont responded with a seven play, 62-yard drive ending with Jones taking it in for his first TD of the night at the two minutes remaining. But the drive nearly came to a premature end when Jones fumbled the ball just after picking up the first down on the 20. Yet senior OLB/WR Dylan Ferdinand outraced Winchester’s linebackers to recover the bouncing ball at the 6-yard line.

But just as important, the Belmont defense finally stopped Winchester’s offense after it quickly reached the Belmont 35 yard line.

The Marauders kept the momentum rolling into the second half as Jones nearly singlehandedly to0k the offense down the field allowing Christofori to sneak the ball into the end zone to knot up the game at 14 at the 7-minute mark.

Winchester’s Fitzpatrick took to the air to retake the lead highlighted by a 38-yard pass to receiver Max Ebner to the Belmont 8. His two-yard TD gave the Sachem’s its final lead of the game with 3:45 left in the mark.

But in this rock em’ sock em’-styled game, Belmont got down the field quickly with a Christofori 10 yard scamper followed by a 19-yard pass to Pollack to bring the ball to the Winchester 25. A quick hitting 14 yard rush by Belmont’s big junior fullback Adam Deese rumbled the ball to the 1-yard line where Jones finished the drive with a one-yard plunge and a 21-21 tie.

With its air attack successful for most of the night, Winchester’s Fitzgerald winged it to McDonough at midfield. But attempted to repeat the pass down the middle of the field, Ferdinand intercept the pass on Belmont’s 16-yard line at 7:47 remaining in the biggest play of the game.

“My coaches always tell me to turn and look when I’m out in coverage. And I actually listened to them this time. Good things happen when you listen to the coach,” said Ferdinand.

Belmont would then keep the ball for the following 7:28 on a grinding, time-consuming drive that included a fourth down Jones run (he would carry the ball 10 times) and a Jones run off the right side of the offense to the one-yard line with less than 30 seconds left. When Jones walked into the end zone one play later, he was so exhausted he didn’t celebrate the 28-21 lead and had to be helped back to the sideline.

“We just have faith in our offense that it can execute when we need them to. So it was a no-brainer for us to go for it on fourth down because we want to get the win the right way,” said Kumin.

When Jones walked into the end zone one play later, he was so exhausted he didn’t celebrate the 28-21 lead and had to be helped back to the sideline.

After the game, with a crowd of students and residents outside the White Field House cheering and making noise, players were excited about the near future with the playoffs on the horizon.

“Anything can happen in the playoffs in high school football. If we are the eight seed and we are playing the one seed, you could say, ‘Why even play the game?’ But we are going to play whoever we get because you never know. We hope to have a good run,” said Martin.

“This team plays with heart. It’s not a one-player team; it’s everybody together. That’s what Coach Q has been telling us from day one, that it’s family,” said Ferdinand.