PHOTO BY PAULA MULLER
Marblehead goalie Joe Ferrucci makes a save as Wayland’s Jackson Fletcher jumps to avoid hitting him. Marblehead’s Mack Fisher, left, and Cooper Camelo look on.
By GORDON VINCENT
LYNN — Sometimes, you just have to give credit to the other team.
The Marblehead High boys soccer team’s bid for a state title ended with a 3-0 loss to Wayland, Saturday, in the Division 3 North final, at Manning Field.
Charles Halliwell, Michael Jones and Marco Melero scored for third-seeded Wayland (14-3-2), which seems intent on reclaiming the state championship it won in 2014 but lost last season to Swampscott in the sectional semifinals.
“They’re something,” said Marblehead coach Scott Laramie. “We got beat by a better team. They were aggressive and skilled and it was probably a fair result. We did everything we could, but that’s how it goes.”
It was a historic season for the fourth-seeded Magicians (13-7-0), who had been knocked out of the tournament in the quarterfinal round each of the past three years.
“Hopefully, we can keep the momentum of this season going,” Laramie said. “We have five sophomores and five or six freshmen. And I’m proud of my seniors. I coached them for all four years and they’re the ones who have laid the groundwork for the program.”
Wayland took the lead in the fifth minute on a goal by Halliwell. A long throw-in from the left wing ended up on his foot, and his shot from inside the penalty area caromed off the right post and into the back of the net.
Jones doubled the lead in the 35th minute when he scored on a free kick from 35 yards, on a shot that slipped inside the right post. Wayland had at least three other glittering chances to score in the first half, forcing Marblehead goalkeeper Joe Ferrucci to make a trio of spectacular saves.
“He’s been a terrific keeper for us, and we have him for two more years,” Laramie said. “He’s already one of the best keepers in the (Northeastern) conference, if not the state.”
Marblehead’s best chance to score in the first half came in the 13th minute after a free kick by Grady Kozak caromed to Mike Conlin just outside the crease, but Conlin’s shot was deflected before it reached Wayland keeper Curran Murphy.
The Magicians had more possession and better chances with the wind at their backs in the second half. Lukas Koppermann’s shot from about 20 yards forced Murphy to dive to save the ball from going inside the right post.
Wayland all but put the game away in the 70th minute when Melero scored. Halliwell’s initial shot from just outside the penalty area hit the crossbar and caromed to Melero, whose header found the back of the net.