Late Surge Gives Belmont Girls Lacrosse Edge Over Waltham, 14-9, In MIAA Tourney Opener

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Photo: Belmont High celebrates its 14-9 victory in the opening game of the MIAA D1 Girls Lacrosse tournament.

There’s a moment in every game when your quality players need to step up.

That moment in Belmont’s opening round MIAA Division 1 contest held Thursday, May 28, came late – really late – in the contest, as the 14th-ranked Marauders were potentially seeing their 13-win season turning sour on them. In the ultimate quarter, underdog Waltham High had climbed back from a four-goal deficit to cut the lead to one at 10-9. With the ball in their possession with three minutes remaining in the game, the visiting Hawks were a score away from tying the playoff game. With all the momentum behind it and a large, loud group of traveling supporters, the 19th seed could imagine its way to the next round.

“[Waltham] was gritty, hard-fought, and they made some plays in the final quarter,” said Belmont Head Coach Dan O’Brien. “I think defensively we lost track of some cutters, and we weren’t communicating as well as we should. They finished their shots, which was a concern late in the game.”

Just when it was needed, Belmont’s elite athletes showed up. As the Hawks drove to the net, Belmont senior goalie Brooke Whalen deflected a shot off a loose ball heading for the goal, and she laid the ball off to junior Lily Cook, who used her exceptional speed to whiz by a half dozen defenders into the offensive zone. A nasty hack at Cook after a penalty was called saw Waltham pick up a yellow card, giving the Marauders a two-minute player advantage.

“I’m not going to lie. That yellow [card] really helped us,” said O’Brien.

As Belmont rotated the ball around the goal from Senior Sydney Mun to junior Ruth Siegert, who had been an offensive force early, the Waltham defenders lost containment of Belmont’s MVP Niamh Lesnik, who was left standing alone 10 meters dead center from Waltham goalie Leah France.

There was no doubt about Lesnik’s power shot: high right beyond France’s desperate lunge. 11-9. Game over.

“I just felt that I was open,” said Lesnik, who finished with seven of Belmont’s 14 goals. “Sometimes throughout the season I feel like I would take the extra steps and try to get closer, but I just felt with all the space that I had, I just better let this one rip, and hopefully it goes in. It did, so I was very happy.”

With the Hawks picking up a second yellow card, Belmont punished the visitors with three unanswered goals – two from Lesnik and one from Mun – to finish off their gritty cross-border rival, 14-9.

“It wasn’t our best game, but we found a way to win it and execute,” said O’Brien. 

On Monday, June 1, Belmont (14-5) travels to Concord to meet 3rd-ranked Concord-Carlisle High (16-3) in the D1 Sweet 16 matchup. The game gets underway at 4:30 p.m. at Memorial Field, Concord.

 Belmont could not find its shooting or any rhythm. The star of the first quarter was Waltham’s France who stopped 10 of 12 shots – many of them penalty shots – in the first quarter alone, ending with 27 saves.

The second quarter saw it build its lead by keeping possession of the ball like Gollum did the One Ring, with Waltham crossing the midfield line only twice. Maddie Tisdale collected a pair in the quarter, with Ellie Siegert putting in a single. But Waltham would stay close, scoring with five seconds remaining in the half to cut Belmont’s advantage to three, 6-3. 

Belmont would score four early in the second half – a brace for both Lesnik and Ruth Siegert – to go up 10- 6, late in the quarter..

“I think a lot of teams scout for Lesnik, but I think what’s great about our team is that we’re so balanced on attack,” said Ruth Siegert. “I think that really opened up many cuts for me, so that opened up a lot of opportunities for assisting goals as well.”

But Waltham would chip away behind Mia Kearney’s three goals, leading to the drama at the game’s end. 

Sixth Pride Parade On Sunday, May 31, Celebrates Belmont LGBTQ+ Alliances’ 25th Anniversary

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Photo: Belmont’s Pride Parade is Sunday, May 31, at 1 p.m.

The sixth annual Pride Parade, to be held on Sunday, May 31, will be extra special as it will also commemorate an important milestone.

“It’s a particularly special year, as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Belmont LGBTQ+ Alliance, which was founded in 2001,” said Belmont’s LGBTQ Alliance founder Fran Yuan. “We’ve seen many positive changes over the years in making Belmont more open and welcoming to members of the LGBTQ+ community.”

Co-sponsored by the Alliance, Belmont Human Rights Commission, Belmont Against Racism, Belmont Wellness Coalition, the First Church in Belmont, Plymouth Congregational Church, and Beth El Temple Center, the parade will start at 1 p.m. at the Belmont Town Green across from First Church Belmont at 404 Concord Ave.

The day will begin at 12:45 p.m. with opening remarks as residents gather before the parade. The march will include a short walk along Concord Avenue up to Belmont High School before returning through Belmont Center back to the Green. The route is relatively flat and accommodating for everyone.

There will be live music, kids’ activities, representatives of community organizations, and cake and ice cream.

Belmont Farmers Market Returns For 21st Season With Opening Day Thursday, June 4

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Photo:

The weekly Belmont Farmers Market turns 21 this year as the yearly community event brings nearly 50 vendors to the Claflin Street Parking Lot from the first week in June to the final week in October.

Opening day will take place at 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 4, behind Leonard Street in Belmont Center. The market is open from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. through September and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. in October.

Patrons will again come for a familiar array of veggies and fruit, baked goods, meat and fish, beer and wine, and other sundries, said Market Chair Hal Shubin.

Yet the market is not just a place to find locally sourced goods. It also helps relieve the ever growing level of food insecurity in Belmont. Stubein reported that 720 households representing 1,121 residents are using SNAP benefits, which used to be called food stamps. 

“But we think there are far more people” who are impacted by the lack of nutritious food, said Stubein at the April 27 Select Board meeting setting this year’s market dates.

The farmers market has been pushing actions to solve the issue. For more than two decades, the market has been asking vendors to donate unsold produce and other products to organizations – such as Arlington’s Food Link – that distribute it to agencies in Greater Boston. In 2009 the Farmers Market incorporated as the Belmont Food Collaborative, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that assists in fundraising and education.

The market also has several direct assistance programs, such as matching federal SNAP benefits, which provides customers an extra $25 a week. The collaborative also provides funding that boosts the state’s HIP assistance program, known in Belmont as HIP Plus. Last year, all the benefit programs helped stretch patrons’ food budgets by more than $71,000, funds obtained from fundraising, grants, sponsorships, and direct donations from patrons and residents.

“We do [all] that because we believe that it’s important that everyone have enough healthy food to eat,” said Stubin.

After ‘Insane’ Finale, Belmont High Girls Lacrosse Awaits Waltham In MIAA Tourney Opener Wednesday

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Photo: Belmont High’s senior attack Niamh Lesnik scored the Marauders’ final six goals including the game winner to beat Central Catholic, 13-12, to end its season at 13-5 and a 14 seed in the MIAA Div. 1 Girls’ Lacrosse tournament

After winning what several players deemed an “insane” final game of the season, Belmont High Girls’ Lacrosse hosts the opening game of the 2026 MIAA tournament in a cross border clash against Waltham High on Wednesday, May 27.

The match gets underway at 6 p.m. at Harris Field.

And the most recent contest – a wild 13-12 victory over Central Catholic High of Lawrence – is an indication that Belmont is a team entering the MIAA Div. 1 tourney on a high.

“It was unbelievable,” said Dan O’Brien, Belmont’s Head Coach who has put together three seasons of 13 regular season wins – along with a 14 wins in 2024.

It was no meaningless game as Belmont was hanging on to its 14th placement by 8/10,000th of a point over Beverly in the MIAA Power Rankings entering the final games. The Marauders traveled to the Merrimack Valley to face 13th-ranked Central Catholic on its seniors game. A loss could see Belmont fall possibly two places and draw a stronger opponent in the playoffs. This would be a must win for the Marauders and they performed.

Belmont’s Sydney Mun

“The girls had a lot of energy, a lot of hype for the whole entire game,” said one participant.

It was a particulary tight game which a player discribed as “either we were down one, up one, or we were tied.” Belmont’s defense came through with a pair of backline replacements in attack Reese Bundy and Eva Sen each who “did an incredible job against [the CC] attack,” said O’Brien. Senior Goalie Brooke Hanser contributed saving seven shots, that included her 300th of her career

Speedy defender Lily Cook was O’Brien’s defensive MVP, winning ground balls, making six clears – in which Cook advanced the ball from the defensive to the offensive end – and riding opponants like crazy up the field.

Belmont’s Lily Cook in action against Wilmington

On the offensive side, senior attack Sydney Mun tallied seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) and Nora Goulding came away with a goal and three assists.

Trailing 5-6, it was in the second half when the game went a little loopy. As CC was scoring, they were also picking up yellow penalty cards for serious fouls mostly for dangerous checking, that forced the offending player to sit out for a two-minute penalty. And midway through the third quarter and the score tied at 8-8, CC accumulated its fourth yellow which required the Raiders to play the rest of the game a player down.

With the man advantage, it was time for Belmont’s All-Star to shine, as senior Niamh Lesnik stepped up to take control of the offense. The Fairfield University-bound midfielder scored a natural hat-trick – three consecutive goals – to propel Belmont into a lead.

But Belmont would commit a foul and CC – in front of enthusiastic fans – was able to score three of their own to go up 12-11 going into the final quarter of the regular season.

With a chance to eck out a victory, CC received a fifth yellow – to the utter chagrin of its coach – resulting in two of its players sitting-down, forcing the hosts into full defensive mode attempting to protect its one goal lead.

Despite drawing the attention of the Raiders’ best defender, Lesnik would knot the game up midway through the quarter before taking a pass from Goulding in the final two minutes to take the victory back to Belmont, as Belmont’s co-captain scored eight of Belmont’s 13 goals, securing the 14th seed.

“A great win to take into the tournament,” said O’Brien.

Memorial Day: Ceremony On, Parade Cancelled; Trash Collection Pushed Back One Day

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Photo: Belmont High School athletes who participated in planting American flags at Grove Street Cemetery before Monday’s Memorial Day ceremony.

Spring showers didn’t cancel Town Day this year as the it did the previous three, but a rainy Monday put the clamps on the traditonal Memorial Day parade, set for the holiday on May 25.

The parade – that travels from the Grove Street Cemetery to the Veterans Memorial at Clay Pit Pond – was cancelled due to safety concerns on the wet roads, according to a release from the town. The Memorial Day ceremony which precedes the parade will continue as scheduled beginning at 11 a.m. at the cemetery, rain or shine.

Town offices and departments, the public schools, the Beech Street Center, and the Belmont Public Library will be closed on the Monday holiday.

Trash and Recycling pushed back a day: Trash and recycling collection will be delayed by one day. Monday’s collection will occur on Tuesday, Tuesday’s collection will occur on Wednesday, etc.

Belmont High Girls’ Rugby Remains Undefeated Overpowering Weymouth, 43-21, In Meeting Of Unbeatens

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Photo: Belmont High Girls’ Mia Salazar scores the Marauders’ fourth try in Belmont’s 43-21 victory over undefeated Weymouth High on May 14, 2026.

It’s just the contest fans of all sports wish for: a late season encounter between the year’s leading teams to determine who’s the top dog entering the playoffs.

This past Thursday, rugby fans were not disappointed when the Weymouth High girl ruggers took on the Belmont High XV in the clash of the final undefeated squads in Massachusetts. At the end of the 70 minutes, the game followed a familiar script as the six-time state champion Marauders pulled away from the visiting Wildcats in the second half, winning 43-21.

Leading Belmont’s offense was its talisman, junior Lock Becca Christensen punched over the try line three times, while the Marauders’ centers and halfbacks shut down the majority of Weymouth’s attacks, with senior fullback Farrah Harris making five solo tackles that waylaid the Wildcats from scoring on the break.

Weymouth came to play, and on its first two passes, Wildcat senior Nikki Moraes found a lane down the left sideline and offloaded to Weymouth’s player of the match, Delaney Barhight, who scored within the first two minutes. 

“I think you have to be appreciative of the fact that [Weymouth} came ready to take it to us, and it forced us to immediately buckle down and get ourselves together and play the kind of rugby we want to be playing,” said Belmont’s Head Coach McCabe.

Belmont would soon be on the front foot, benefiting from the first of several receiving miscues Weymouth committed on the kicks after scores, scoring its first try in the fifth minute from sophomore Eden Hill, followed four minutes later by Christensen who crashed in from 12 meters out to give Belmont an early 12-7 lead.

“Becca Christensen is a powerhouse,” said McCabe. “But she’s more than that. She does the footwork, and that picks up the pace. All those things are making her incredibly hard to take down, and she has the ball handling skills to also offload [the ball], so it’s awesome.”

After taking the ball after the try, Belmont was soon within striking distance at the 22 when senior “8” “Cappy” Detheux grabbed a loose ball from the scrum and scampered down the left sideline to dive into the try zone, upping Belmont’s lead to 19-7 within 16 minutes. 

But the game was far from over. For the remaining 20 minutes in the first half, the Wildcats would hold most of the possession as they took their time grinding out the meters towards the try zone. Weymouth came close at the 24 minute mark only to be pushed over the sideline, and at 29 minutes, Harris took down Weymouth’s Barhight in the open field. 

“Weymouth was playing beautiful possession rugby: no mistakes made in the handling, were immediately over those rucks, and that is exhausting for a defensive side, the same thing we’re always trying to do,” said McCabe. 

Weymouth came close twice before its scrum-half would “tap and go” after a penalty to try to slice Belmont’s advantage to five points, 19-14, four minutes from half-time. Between the halves, McCabe made some substitutions to provide a needed change of pace.

“We saw that we have to elevate our play to hang with good teams for the full 70 [minutes]. And [Belmont] demonstrated the kind of discipline that we want to have as a side, and we appreciate that from the girls. They really rose to the occasion.”

One of the key subs was junior Prop Timikha Mukwazhi who immediately made an impression on her first touch, running for 35 meters deep into Wildcat territory and then anchoring the front of the defense. 

“I always get a pep talk from my coach before I get in, and I just said to myself, ‘I’m going to dominate this game, and I’m going to hit girls today.'” So that’s my mindset, always switched on,” she said.

Belmont would score its fourth try 10 minutes into the half when senior Mia Salazar swept around Weymouth’s end for the try. A few minutes later, Barhight was sent off for 10 minutes for a potentially dangerous tackle, which Belmont took full advantage of. Two minutes later, sophomore right wing CeCe Held finished off an impressive Belmont phase to increase Belmont’s advantage to 31-14. After Weymouth scored shorthanded, Christensen broke through the Weymouth line and barreled 40 meters to set herself up for her third try of the afternoon and seal the victory.

McCabe acknowledged junior scrum-half Serena Field for her presence on the pitch. “She poached the ball; she made tackles when people got through the line. She worked her butt off all day and just kept people moving and anticipated where the ball was going.”

But McCabe said the win was truly a team effort.

“That’s the joy of recognizing that rugby is a game where everyone plays. Everybody is appreciated. We need a ton of different skills, and getting the ball to Tamikha means something different from getting the ball to Farrah. They’re each doing work that gets us down the field; there was a lot of great work to see today.”

Sunny And Warm: Belmont Town Day Returns To Its Traditional Spring Date, Saturday, May16

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Photo: It’s a return to a spring Town Day in Belmont

Fourth time IS the charm as the Belmont Center Business Association hold the 37th Annual Town Day in warm – the forecast calls for temps the mid-70s – and sunny conditions on Saturday, May 16.

The event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. along Leonard Street. The high street will be closed from Channing Road to Pleasant Street from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Last year marked the third consecutive year a forecast of rain resulted in the yearly community get together being moved to September.

There will be multiple tables and tents along the Leonard Street occupied by local groups, non-profits, town departments, retailers and restaurants. There will be kiddie rides, basketball hoops, and, as always, the popular dunk tank.

The yearly Belmont Garden Club Flower and Plant Sale will take place Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon outside the Belmont Lions Club at the World War I memorial on Common Street and Royal Road.

Early Morning Blaze Consumes Muzzy’s, Owner Sees Possible Return ‘Of My Happy Spot’

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Photo: Muzzy’s owner Dante Muzzioli greets a friend at the scene of the fire that destroyed his business on Thursday.

An early morning three-alarm fire on Thursday, May 14, destroyed Muzzy’s, a favorite of Belmont residents with its diner-inspired menu and outdoor seating, which made it a popular summer eating destination.

“It’s a complete loss,” said Dante Muzzioli, the Belmont business owner and high school hockey Hall of Fame coach who named the eatery using his popular nomignolo. 

“Well, it’s a sad day,” he said.

From the rain-soaked sidewalk across Trapelo, passersby and Muzzioli’s friends watched as fire crews continued working. While the structure’s white exterior walls were still intact, the interior was a blackened cavity from the fire that spread quickly from the basement to the first floor. 

“The whole floor is gone. Everything’s in the basement,” said Muzzioli as he inspected the damage with Belmont Fire personnel and spoke to contractors to board up the windows. 

For Muzzioli, the location was more than a business opportunity. Muzzy’s was his way of bringing a little bit of joy to people’s lives and his own.

“I look at it as my happy spot. And that’s really what it’s about. We’re living in a world that’s upside down. Some days, we’re all fighting politically about who believes in this and who believes in that. But when you come here and you see little kids eating ice cream, how can you not be happy.”

As the Belmont Fire Department was making a final inspection of the structure, Muzzioli greeted friends, hockey acquaintances, and people who casually knew ‘Muzzy’ to offer their condolences with handshakes and hugs.

“It’s been overwhelming,” said Muzzioli of the support he’s received in the few hours after the fire began. “It’s been incredible how many people have come here just to say how sad this all is or what they can do to help. I’ve received a text from [Belmont Select Board Chair] Matt Taylor, and [Select Board member] Carol [Berberian] showed up at 6:30 a.m. just because they cared.”

Muzzioli said he learned about the fire from one of his employees who was driving by the business and saw some smoke inside. After getting a closer look, he called 911 and his boss. But in mere minutes for the Belmont Fire Department to arrive, “the thing was pretty much engulfed.”

The Belmont Fire Department arrived on the scene at approximately 4:30 a.m., having received a report of heavy smoke coming from the building, said Belmont Fire Chief David DeStefano, who was at the scene during the afternoon cleanup.

“We made an aggressive interior attack and determined the fire to be located in the basement,” said DeStefano. While companies were trying to enter the basement, the main floor became unstable and in danger of collapse. 

“That’s when we withdrew our firefighters from the building” said DeStefano, at which time Belmont firefighters, along with mutual aid from Waltham, Cambridge, Arlington, and Watertown, went to defensive operations for the duration of the firefight.

As the primary conflagration was being brought under control, a gas-fed fire started due to a broken gas line, said DeStefano. “We contained that fire, and did not let it spread until National Grid was able to turn off the gas. At that point, we brought the remaining fire under control.”

But due to many hidden pockets of fire and hot spots, the fire remained only contained into the afternoon. The arrival of an excavator “allowed us to pull things apart, remove material from the building, and finally get to the deep-seated fire to bring about final extinguishment.”

A cause of the fire has not been determined, as fire inspectors have just begun their work, said DeStefano.

The four retail businesses in the one-story building that housed Muzzy’s had varied amounts of smoke and water damage, with Lucy Danger Hair suffering the bulk of the resulting loss.

Opened in 2012 at the intersection of Belmont Street and Trapelo Avenue, where a Brigham’s Ice Cream shop operated for many years. 

“I came here when I was a little kid, 12 years old, when this was a Brigham, riding bikes with his friends from Winn Brook to get a raspberry lime ricky.” 

Muzzioli – a lifelong Belmontian who owns a landscaping and construction company and coached Belmont High School Boys’ Hockey for four decades – became interested in the location as he saw the business deteriorate over the years. “It wasn’t the same place as I remembered it,” said Muzzioli.

As a lifelong entrepreneur, Muzzioli asked if putting a new ice cream store at the location was a viable situation, mimicking the Brigham’s ideas but putting some of his new concepts in place, including installing a grill that would support a diner-style menu. In the past decade and a half, the restaurant/ice cream business took off.

“It’s been great. The Fridays and Saturdays in the summer: packed, packed, packed. It’s a nice area to sit outside and eat ice cream, with a little piece of grass out here to manage kids and stuff like that,” he said.

Muzzy isn’t ready to accept defeat. 

I’m going to try to put a remote ice cream store here,” Muzzioli said, pointing to the green space untouched by the blaze. “So I’m going to work my tail off next few days and see if I can operate a little stand in here in the greenery.”

Books In Bloom, A Collaboration of the Library Friends and Garden Club, Set For Friday, May 8

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Photo: Poster for this year’s Books In Bloom

Explore floral interpretations of books, sip wine, enjoy bites to eat and live music at the Belmont Public Library as the Friends of the Belmont Public Library and the Belmont Garden Club invite the public to Books In Bloom, a one-of-a-kind evening celebrating floral art, books, and community on Friday, May 8, from 6 p.m.to 9 p.m..

Wander through the newly-constructed library and discover floral arrangements inspired by beloved books, each a unique creation designed and donated by the talented members of the Garden Club. Sip and swirl at a wine tasting hosted by The Spirited Gourmet, munch on light refreshments, and enjoy live music. Whether a book lover, a flower enthusiast, or simply looking for a wonderful night out, this is an evening not to be missed.

Tickets are $30, available in advance online or at the door.

Proceeds from the tickets support programs of the Belmont Public Library. For more information or to become a Friends of the Library member, visit About FOBPL.

A Celebration Of The Copper Beach On Belmont Town Green Sunday At 12:30 AM

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Photo: The 165-year-old Cooper Beech tree at the intersection of Common Street and Concord Avenue on the Belmont Town Green.

The community celebration of the life of the Copper Beech at the Unitarian Church, will take place on the Belmont Town Green on Sunday, May 3 at 12:30 p.m.

Join the First Church in Belmont UU, the town’s Shade Tree Committee and Department of Public Works, and the Henry Frost Preschool at 404 Concord Ave. as the community honors the beauty and legacy of the beloved cooper beech tree.

Estimated at approximately 165 years old, the tree – Fagus grandifolia – began as a seedling when Belmont was incorporated as a town in 1859 and the start of the US Civil War. Over its lifetime, the cooper beech provided food from the nuts it produces to various birds including ruffed grouse and wild turkeys, raccoons, foxes, white-tailed deer, rabbits, squirrels and opossums.

The tree has succumb to beach leaf disease, caused by a newly-recognized nematode (roundworm) first discovered in Ohio in 2012.

The celebration will include remarks and a history of the cooper beech by Jay Marcotte, DPW director, a song from the Children’s Choirs, a poem from Richard Waring, a ritual of memories by tying ribbons on the tree’s branches, a presentation of artworks as gifts, and a ritual of release lead by Rev. Martha Durkee-Neuman.

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