Malden Boys Soccer roars to wins over Somerville and Medford, first time in years

Joseph, Belatreche lead way in big Greater Boston League victories

By Steve Freker

  How about this statistic? The 2025 High School Soccer season is only two weeks old and the Malden High Boys Soccer team has already DOUBLED its win total from last season! What a way they got it done, also!

In less than a week, the Malden boys have done something no Golden Tornado team has done in many seasons: beat Somerville and defeat Medford in the same year. This year’s squad just accomplished that remarkable feat in back-to-back games… on the road, no less. The dual wins pushed Malden to 2-1-1, its best start in years, 2-1 in the GBL.

Last week, on the road at Dilboy Field in Somerville — where Malden has not won since 2017 — it only took one goal, a giant one, from Dawit Adefris, to beat the host Highlanders, 1-0. Add to that win an 11-save performance by first-year goalie Wender Moura, just a sophomore.

On Tuesday this week, it was back in the fire for Malden against another team that has “had their number” for more than a few years, when the Tornados travelled to next-door Medford. This time Malden managed its highest offensive output of the season to date, in a 3-1 road win against the Mustangs. This time it was senior captain Mike Joseph leading the pack, with two goals and an assist, his biggest point game of his three-year varsity career.

Senior Matheus Martins assisted on Joseph’s first goal, and senior captain Yasser Belatreche, who has been an iron man with complete game-no rest performances in both wins, assisted on the second goal. The third goal was by Adefris, assisted by Joseph to add some more insurance.

Malden had scored first and then Somerville raced back to tie it up at 1-1. That did not stop Malden’s momentum, as the Tornados scored two second-half goals to put the game away, going up 2-1 — to start a raucous celebration — and then a third goal. Once again, it was a fantastic performance by goaltender Moura, who made 10 more saves to seal the victory.

“Both of these games were team efforts and we could not have gotten it done without that type of game from our guys,” Malden Head Coach Jeremiah Smith said.

“We have played pretty consistently since the season started, but the key has been that we have really improved in the areas where we had to play better, to keep that consistency,” Coach Smith said.

The Malden coach said a senior-heavy roster has paid dividends, along with some key new faces like Martins and Adefris. “Matheus [Martins] and Dawit [Adefris] have really been great additions this year, they have been big contributors each game out.”

Smith also said he is pleased with the leadership his most experienced players, Joseph and Belatreche, have shown all season. “Mike [Joseph] and Yasser [Belatreche] have been just great with all of our players. We are showing up motivated and ready to go for all of our games and that is something we really needed this season.”

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After four games to start the season, Malden finally gets a home stand next week, after a night game at Lynn Classical last night. Malden hosts Chelsea in its home opener next week (Tuesday, Sept. 23) and then Lynn English next Thursday, Sept. 25. Both games are at 4:15 p.m. at Pine Banks.

Malden Football falls to Lynn Tech in opener, 27-14

  Malden High Varsity Football dropped its season opener to Lynn Tech, 27-14, on the road at Manning Field in Lynn on September 12. The victory began the Tigers’ season with a 1-0 record, with key contributions from Jadiel Ortega and a strong defensive effort in the second half. Lynn Tech’s Jadiel Ortega was a standout player, contributing a touchdown pass, a rushing touchdown, and an interception. Eddie Lewis for Lynn Tech had a strong performance, with Coach James Runner praising his hard running. The defensive line and linebackers were credited with multiple stands in the second half, including four sacks by Jacob Garcia.

Malden trailed, 15-6, at halftime, scoring its only touchdown on a 5-yard run by sophomore Jayden McGuffie. Down 21-6, Malden cut the lead to 21-12 on a 59-yard kickoff return touchdown by junior Josh Bly, his first career TD.

Malden hosted Somerville on Thursday night at Macdonald Stadium in its home opener. Next week, Malden’s home stand continues when Chelsea comes to town on Thursday, September 25, at 6:00 p.m.