Belmont Falls Late to Rivals Watertown, 34-28, on Turkey Day

November 25, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker 2 Comments

Photo: Ben Jones (center) running during the 4th quarter.

The script was nearly written for a comeback of epic proportions.

Down by six with three minutes remaining in its Thanksgiving game with rival Watertown, the Belmont High School football squad was marching down the field in front of an ecstatic home crowd behind another heroic effort by senior running back Ben Jones and under the steady leadership of four-year starter quarterback Cal Christofori.

Heck, the sun was even peeking through the steel gray overcast seeming to provide the heavenly light to guide the home team to a classic victory.

But a pass thrown ever so slightly skewed to a Belmont receiver was intercepted by Watertown’s defensive back Isaac Huff finishing off the Marauders’ rally as Belmont ended the game on the wrong side of a 34-28 scoreline Thursday, Nov. 24, at Harris Field.

After reaching midseason at 3-3, the Marauders ended 2016 at 4-7, repeating last year’s record.

The loss marks Belmont’s fifth consecutive defeat to the Raiders in the yearly Thanksgiving Day that began in 1921. Watertown now leads the series 47-43 with five ties.

“It was Belmont/Watertown and we knew it was going to be a dogfight and we were pretty confident in our ability to shut these guys down, but we couldn’t shut these guys now,” said Belmont Head Coach Yann Kumin.

In a game delayed due to the Watertown squad arriving at Harris Field well past the official start time – despite having to travel a mere 2.5 miles – it was both team’s running backs who stole the show. Jones’ three touchdown performance was matched by Watertown senior Vasken Kebabjian with a trio of his own as both players collected more than 200 yards on the ground.

“Ben Jones is fantastic … [and] is a tremendous athlete and has had a tremendous season but what’s more important to me is that he’s a quality human being and quality man,” said Kumin.

Kebabjian started the scoring early as he ran 47 yards on the right side of Belmont’s defense for the first TD after two and a half minutes of the first quarter to give Watertown the lead, 7-0.

The Raiders doubled the lead with their next procession but only after being aided by the officiating crew whose rulings throughout the game left many on the sidelines and in the stands pondering its collective competence.

After missing an apparent fumble recovered by Belmont on its 36-yard line, Belmont’s Tyler Reynolds was called for pass interference despite being manhandled and thrown to the ground by the Watertown receiver as Reynolds attempted an interception.

On the next play, Raider QB Deon Smith scrambled 24 yards for the TD and a 14-0 lead with a minute left in the first.

Belmont broke through early in the second quarter as Jones broke into the open over his favorite left side of the line and outraced the defenders 45 yards to cut the lead to 14-7.

After apparently holding Watertown on a third down play, a late flag was thrown by the officials for a personal foul against the Marauders to continue their drive that resulted in a 41-yard field goal by junior Conor Kennelly to give the visitors a 17-7 lead midway through the second.

Kebabjian scored his second touchdown on a 54 yard run in the final three minutes of the half to extend the lead to 24-7. The half ended after another late flag for a holding penalty was called after Christofori hit junior wide receiver Will Ellet inside the 10-yard line with eight seconds remaining.

At half time, Kumin said “we knew we could play better” and “they came out on fire.”

It didn’t take Belmont long to score as on the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter; Jones swept around the left end 71 yards to chip at the lead, 24-13 as Aidan Cadogan’s extra point attempt was blocked.

After a Watertown three and out, Belmont used a combination of Christofori passing and the running attack of Jones and fullback Adam Deese to push Watertown back to its goal. But on two occasions, the officials held up the play during the drive to discuss the location of the ball while forgetting to move the sideline markers “and both times that affected our ability to bring in personnel and our plays to call,” said Kumin.

“[The officials] certainly affected the course of today,” he said.

After Christofori found receiver junior Jake Pollack on a 10-yard pass to the 17, Jones finished the drive on a series of runs, scoring from five yards out with three minutes remaining in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 24-20.

But Watertown would take less than two minutes to score as Kebabjian scored his third long TD run, from 53-yard with a minute left in the quarter.

Belmont struck back quickly in the fourth quarter, first through a diving 25-yard catch by Ellet to the 21-yard line with Deese finishing off the drive with a fourth down dive into the end zone to trim the lead to 31-28 with 7:19 remaining.

But Watertown was soon knocking on the door as Kebabjian had two long runs to bring the ball to the Belmont 7 yard line. But a penalty and Belmont’s defensive line stopped the Raiders at the 9 which forced Kennelly to kick a 28-yard field goal that was partially deflected by Jones who got a hand on it.

Trailing by 6, Belmont took the ball with 3:08 to play at its 33-yard line and marched it down the field to the Watertown 43 yard line with 1:45 remaining before the Huff interception ended the Marauders’ final drive.

Despite the close loss, “I’m not going to hang my head one bit,” said Kumin to his players after the game.

“You took a team that had one win [four] years ago, and in three seasons you are competitive in one of the best leagues in the state. You did that. We did that. What I’m going to remember of this group of young men who had no quit in them, who sacrificed for their brothers no matter what, who played for something more than themselves every single day,” he said.

“I love you guys, and eat your turkey with pride,” said Kumin.

Five ‘Eastern’ Options Put Forth in Community Path Feasibility Study

November 24, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Participants at last week’s community path feasibility study view alternative routes on poster boards.

The one message the consultants conducting the Belmont Community Path Feasibility Study wanted to convey to residents attending last week’s public meeting on building a path through Belmont was that any discussion would stay within the bounds of “respectful civil discourse.”

The need for such a reminder came as the study ventured into the proposed path’s most contentious “eastern” section from Belmont Center to Brighton Street. For the past three decades, Channing Road homeowners whose property lines have abutted a strip of land adjacent the MBTA’s commuter rail line have resisted calls from the bike and recreational campaigners who have sought to build a community path along the route.

And it turned out that just a few sparks from the approximately 60 residents who turned up to the Chenery Middle School auditorium. Rather, the public was more interested in what was being presented than debating the plans … just yet.

“[The study] is a collaboration” of all residents and interest groups, said Kathleen Fasser, ‎principal at K3 Landscape Architecture in Concord which is working with Pare Corp., hired by the town to conduct the feasibility study.

Pare Corp’s Amy Archer.

Under the firm and business-like leadership of Pare’s Chief Planner Amy Archer, the consulting team revealed five alternatives routes:

Running on mostly land owned by the Belmont Citizens Forum along the north side of the MBTA commuter line tracks,
On the south side of the MBTA commuter line, hugging the back of Belmont High School.
A path in a “linear park” on a redesigned Concord Avenue,
One that meanders through the Belmont High property midway between C0ncord Avenue and the tracks, and
Using public roads in the Winn Brook neighborhood.

A detailed map and description of the five routes can be viewed in the feasibility study here.

You can see the path options for the western end of the route – from the Waltham line to the Department of Public Works site – here and the central section from the DPW to the commuter bridge in Belmont Center here.

Underpass in the mix

The study also includes several design plans for an underpass running about 50 feet from the end of Alexander Avenue under the commuter rail tracks and onto school property near Harris Field and the JV baseball diamond.

The pedestrian tunnel, first proposed and supported by town officials in the 1970s, would allow for a direct link from the Winn Brook neighborhood to community areas such as the high school and its playing fields, the Underwood Pools, the skating rink, the library and the Wellington Elementary School.

Archer also presented three crossing designs at Brighton Road – where a new path will likely cross the commuter rail tracks to meet an existing bike route that runs to Alewife MBTA station – that includes a pair of pedestrian bridges that would be well above the roadway and require long ramps on both sides of Brighton.

After presenting the five options, Archer said each path alternative was ranked and evaluated after a series of public engagements that included public meetings and two site visits in which the public and engineers walked the proposed paths.

Archer said the team had surveyed residents with 40 to 45 questions on what’s the most important feature of the roadway. While not a single feature rose to the top, a pair – that the path makes community connections and it brings high-quality recreation to the town – were on 70 percent of the surveys.

Archer pointed out that one important measure that has not been included in the calculations is the cost estimate for each route. But that was deliberate since the consultants wanted to determine town stakeholders’ preferences absent a bill in hand.

Public responses to the routes included questions and comments concerning the contentious issue from the previous public meeting that focused on how community path users would transverse Concord Avenue at the commuter rail bridge entering Belmont Center.

Sue Bass of upper Concord Avenue felt that attempting to add pedestrians and bike riders onto the current “free-for-all” of vehicle traffic at the tunnel “would kill people.”

Archer acknowledged that difficulty, pondering if a solution such as traffic lights or a traffic circle – called a “roundabout” – could be attempted.

“We are dying to do a traffic study there,” said Archer.

Other comments focused on whether to invest in snow removal equipment for the path or make it a nine months facility, the issue of people driving to the route and parking along residential streets and the danger of placing a path that intersects with side streets.

Next up on the schedule will be the final public meeting during the initial stage which will focus on “Hot Topics” – issues raised during the three previous gatherings – on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. at the Chenery Middle School.

Thanksgiving Day Football: Jr. Marauders Preparing Next Crop of Belmont High Players [VIDEO]

November 20, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: The 2016 Junior Marauders.

In the three years since he started the football program at the Chenery Middle School, James MacIsaac said this year’s crop of Belmont Junior Marauders were a bit on the small size.

“You never know who will come out for the team and this year many of the boys are still growing,” he said.

Not that there are that many giants among the approximately 43 Chenery 7th and 8th graders who suited up to play tackle football, said MacIsaac, the town’s assistant police chief who played for Belmont High School a few years back.

This season, the Marauders – which was made up of equal numbers of 7th and 8th graders – faced teams made up of mostly 8th graders, so there were some games that Belmont was starting out with a disadvantage.

“It was at times a bit overwhelming for some of the players,” said MacIsaac in late October facing a strong Saugus team at Harris Field.

While winning and losing, and at times just being competitive, is why the game is played, MacIsaac and his coaching staff are more interested in teaching the skills to play football but also to love the game.

“We want them to have fun and learn about football,” said MacIsaac

The team has had its moments, shutting out Bedford and winning the season’s finale, 28-20 against Sharon which defeated the Junior Marauders in September.

The program’s secondary objective is as a conduit for the high school team.

“Hopefully, they will continue [playing] at Belmont High and that’s what we are trying to get is to develop [that] program,” said Assistant Coach Robert Walker.

That particular goal is paying off at Belmont High School as the Marauders prepare for its annual showdown with Watertown on Thanksgiving with leading receiver Jared Edwards starting his football career as a Junior Marauder during its inaugural season.

“We want this to be an enjoyable time for the kids and I think they understand [that] since we have not had a player drop out of the program ever since we started three years ago,” said MacIsaac.

Thanksgiving Day Football: The Hype [VIDEO]

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

Photo:Waiting for the game.

It is less than a week before the annual Thanksgiving Day Football game between Belmont and Watertown high schools next Thursday, Nov. 24 at 10 a.m. at Belmont’s Harris Field. Nearing its centennial – the game was first played in 1920 – the yearly clash of neighboring students has had many great moments, with the last few years archived on video.

To celebrate the event, Belmont resident and recent Belmont High graduate (2015) Lucas Tragos has created another of his outstanding sports video to relive some of Belmont Football’s memorable moments versus Watertown in their historic rivalry.

Weis Exits As Belmont’s Minuteman School Committee Rep

November 17, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker 3 Comments

Photo: Jack Weis

It was hard for Jack Weis always to be on the losing side of the drawn out Minuteman Tech school debate.

On Monday, Nov. 14, Weis told the Board of Selectmen that with the recent Town Meeting vote in which Belmont decided to leave the Minuteman district, “this would be an appropriate time for Belmont to find another representative for school committee.”

One of the main reasons for his decision was that his fellow committee members weren’t listening to Weis.

“I think it has tuned me out,” said Weis of his fellow members.

“It’s not what I say but who says it,” said Weis, having been on the losing side of 13-3 or 14-2 votes for a better part of three years.

“So to have any influence [on the committee now] is hard,” said Weis.

But if there was one constant that people remember from Belmont’s protracted battle with and ultimate rejection of a new Minuteman Career and Technical High School, it is the calm, and thorough manner Weis represented the town on the vocational tech’s school committee.

Numerous times whether it was in front of small groups or a packed Town Meeting, Weis would carefully explain the almost Byzantine workings of the 16 member school district attempting to negotiate with a leadership aiming to proceed with a building project Belmont believed was too big.

In a role that at times made him a target of scorn during the years of negotiations, Weis always brought a collegial approach to the discussions, whether with Minuteman officials or town residents who were trying to make rhyme or reason of votes that would end a 40-year relationship with the vocational school.

The selectmen responded to the news by praising Weis dedication to the job and a fair review of the building project and its

“I want to commend you publically for the courage that you’ve shown for carrying the torch for Belmont and representing our point of view,” said Selectmen Chair Mark Paolillo, who with Weis and Warrant Committee member Jack McLaughlin made up the team which challenged the Minuteman officials on the future of the school.

Paolillo said the board wanted to thank Weis for “your outstanding service … during very difficult times when you were a lone voice.”

Selectman Jim Williams said Weis’ lonely mission was like that of Leonardo DiCaprio in the Academy Award-winning role in the film “The Revenant” for his service in the “cold wilderness” of the Minuteman school committee.

“It does take courage and perseverance” to battle for what is right, said Williams.

Weis said the next three years during which Belmont transfer to a nonmember town will be necessary and has written out a detailed job description for the next committee appointee.

The position of school committee member will be posted and will be selected by the board and moderator on Dec. 12, the final board meeting of the calendar year.

Ride ‘Em Cowboy: Belmont DPW Team Best in Snow Plow ‘Roadeo’

November 15, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: (from left) Selectman Baghdady, Selectman Paolillo, DPW Director Marcotte, Paul Mosca, Highway Div. Director Santoro, Marc Petto, Selectman Williams and Town Administrator Kale.

When the snow starts falling this winter, Belmont residents and commercial owners can rest asure that when Paul Mosca and Marc Petto are plowing the street, there’s no two better in the country.

Belmont Highway Division employees Mosca and Petto were recognized by the Belmont Board of Selectmen on Monday, Nov. 14 for coming out on top in state and regional snow plow competition.

Mosca, who has 24 years of service, and eight year veteran Petto placed first of 15 teams from 13 towns in the Plymouth County Snow Plow Rally and Safety Training event held Sept. 23. Then this month, the team topped the field in the New England-wide championships.

With the wins, the men qualify to compete against teams from across the country in the Western Snow and Ice Snowplow “Roadeo” National Finals next September.

The “roadeo” consisted of five event including a written test, demonstrating their knowledge of the big six-wheel dump truck they operate – judges disable the truck and the team must tell what is not working and why – and driving and operating the heavy equipment (this year is was driving a course with road cones representing parked cars.)

“They are dedicated to go the extra mile,” said Michael Santoro, assistant DPW director and head of the Highway Department as he held the gold-covered cup from the latest victory.

“Just remember guy’s, hit that street first,” Selectmen Chair Mark Paolillo told Mosca and Petto after giving them his address for when the first snow falls.

Town Clerk’s Office Closed Tuesday for Election Audit

November 14, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Handcount will be underway Tuesday.

The Belmont Town Clerk’s office will be closed Tuesday, Nov. 15 as the town undergoes an audit of results from the Presidential Election for one of the town’s precincts.

Now before anyone believes that residents of Belmont Hill are committing widespread voter fraud, according to Town Clerk Ellen Cushman, the review is part of the state’s post-election evaluation prescribed by the 2014 Election Reform Laws.

Cushman said the law requires the state to audit three percent of the Commonwealth’s 2,200 precincts.

“The random drawing of the precincts occurred on Thursday morning, Nov. 10 and I was advised Thursday afternoon by the Secretary of the Commonwealth that Belmont Precinct 2 was chosen to participate, along with 65 other precincts statewide,” said Cushman.

Belmont’s audit/hand recount will take place in the Homer Building Gallery on Tuesday, Nov. 15 beginning at 9 a.m.; the last day permitted by law.

The town’s Board of Registrars will be conducting the audit/hand recount of Precinct 2 ballots cast and received on or before Election Day, Nov. 8, including all of the Early Voting Ballots and Absentees as well as Overseas and Military Absentee received by close of polls on Election Day.

Cushman said she “had an enthusiastic response from my election workers to participate in the audit/hand recount.” She hopes to conclude the process by 1 p.m. or 2 p.m.

Belmont Fire/Police Seeking Public’s Help On McLean Fire Investigation

November 14, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: This morning’s fire at McLean Hospital.

Investigators are asking for the public’s help with the investigation into the cause of an early morning fire in an abandoned building on the McLean Hospital campus. The 2-alarm fire occurred in the three-story Codman House building at approximately 2:30 a.m., Monday, Nov. 14.

“The cause of the fire is still undetermined but investigators believe information from the community will help them determine how this fire actually started. Anyone with information about is asked to confidentially call the Arson Hotline, 24-hours a day at 1-800-682-9229,” said State Fire Marshal Peter. J. Ostroskey in a press release sent out Monday afternoon.

The Arson Hotline is part of the Arson Watch Reward Program that provides rewards of up to $5,000 for information that helps to solve cases. The program is funded by the property and casualty insurance underwriting companies of Massachusetts.

The fire is being jointly investigated by the Belmont Fire and Police departments and State Police assigned to the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

Fire Destroys McLean’s Codman Building [VIDEO]

November 14, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: The aftermath of the fire that destroyed the Codman House at McLean Hospital.

A two-alarm fire destroyed the former Codman House on the McLean Hospital campus early Monday morning, Nov. 14.

The blaze, which required fire equipment from neighboring towns of Watertown, Arlington, and Cambridge, started just before 3 a.m. At its height, the glow of the flames could be seen as far as Cushing Square.

According to Belmont Fire Chief David L. Frizzell, the building is a total loss as parts of the building – located in the northern section of the 300-acre campus – will be pulled down to allow fire crews to extinguish any remaining fire smoldering in the debris.

Frizzell said a cause of the fire would not be determined for some time.

A statement from the hospital thanked the “Belmont Fire Department’s rapid response” which contained the fire “to that one building and no other areas of the McLean campus.”

“We are deeply grateful to the Belmont Fire Department, Belmont Police Department, and first responders from surrounding municipalities for their efforts this morning,” said the McLean statement.

Frizzell said Belmont Police were investigating smoke on Concord Avenue when a 911 call came from McLean of a fire in the abandoned structure. Arriving fire crews found “a heavy volume” of flames coming out of the second and third floors.

Frizzell said the blaze was initially difficult to fight as the building was mothballed and fire lines had to be stretched over a long distance. He said the crews were fortunate that the building was unoccupied and far enough away from other building in the vicinity.

It had taken about two hours before firefighters got the fire under control, said Frizzell, who said that crews would spend the rest of the day putting out the last of the fire. He said no firefighters that he knew were injured.

McLean, which has been located off Mill Street for more than 120 years, is the largest psychiatric facility of Harvard Medical School, an affiliate of Massachusetts General Hospital and is owned by Partners HealthCare.

The Codman was once the women’s geriatric ward where “‘the ladies of Codman’ staged elaborate tea parties on silver service for [Psychiatrist Robert Coles] and other young residents in the late 1950s” wrote Alex Beam in his history of McLean, Gracefully Insane, The Rise and Fall of America’s Premier Mental Hospital.

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.