BELMONT – Robust particular groups and an efficient run recreation helped steer Waltham to a 24-12 victory over Belmont on the primary night time of the 2025 highschool soccer season.
Waltham (1-0) secured two first-half safeties on Belmont (0-1) and later erased a second-half deficit to key the win. Hawks head coach Sean Brackett stated the staff was centered on beginning the yr on a optimistic observe and wished to earn some bragging rights over the close by Marauders.
“We knew it was going to be a battle; we’ve got been calling it a ‘battle of the border,’” Brackett stated. “I simply wished our guys to point out up tonight and play ‘Waltham soccer.’”
Waltham started by driving into the purple zone, earlier than the Belmont protection obtained a fourth-down cease. The Belmont offense had two ineffective runs earlier than a excessive snap on third down resulted in a security.
Waltham’s Austin Lucente adopted with a 7-yard landing halfway by way of the second quarter. A failed additional level gave Waltham an 8-0 lead and vital momentum.
However not for lengthy as Belmont’s Casey Regan took the following kickoff 70 yards for the primary Marauder rating. A two-point conversion try fell incomplete.
Neither staff may get any momentum generated on offense for the following a number of drives, with Regan securing an interception on one promising Hawks drive, however a superb punt by the Hawks put Belmont on their very own two-yard line. A powerful rush from the protection then resulted within the second security of the sport.
Waltham would then push to the top zone after the punt, however a throw to the top zone fell incomplete as time expired.
Belmont almost fumbled the kickoff to open the second half, however saved possession. It turned the Regan present with runs of 15, 0 and 0 yards yards establishing a third-and-10. Regan dropped again earlier than scrambling out of the pocket after which charging downfield for a 77-yard landing.
Now up 12-10, a fast defensive cease gave the Marauders the ball again in their very own territory. Belmont couldn’t discover any magic this time and can be compelled to punt.
Waltham began their subsequent drive at their very own 44-yard line. On the primary play of the drive, Wes O’Connor broke an early sort out and took the ball to the top zone to re-establish the lead.
“I had the mindset of ‘I’m not getting tackled on this play,’” O’Connor stated. “It labored, I obtained the landing.”
Waltham would get the two-point conversion by way of a run from Lucente to go forward 18-12. The Hawks would then pressure a fumble on the following Marauder drive and took over deep in Belmont territory.
A number of performs later, quarterback Ryan Dragone threw a strike to Jaden Ssenfuma, and the senior took it 22 yards for a landing.
“It was my first begin and preparing for the varsity velocity,” Dragone stated. “As soon as I obtained with it I used to be there.”
Waltham begins the yr off on the precise foot, and Brackett stated it helped him get a really feel for what his staff can accomplish this yr.
“We had been figuring it out within the first half, after which our guys who we all know are going to be studs for us made performs,” Brackett stated. “We had been working that momentum and being constant and that labored for us.”
