‘YESSIR, YASSER!’ Tornado senior steps up, takes over in goal for pair of huge wins

Girls Soccer: Malden High turns up the heat again, qualifies for MIAA State Tournament

By Steve Freker

  Yes, he had done it before. But that was long before he found his way to Malden High School. But when his team needed him most, Malden senior Boys Soccer captain Yasser Belatreche answered the call.

Depth was plentiful in other spots for the Golden Tornado team this year, but not when it came to goaltender. There was only one, Uno. Sophomore Wender De Abreu Moura was it.

So, when De Abreu got banged up in the second week of a three-game week spree and had to sit out to recover, Malden was in trouble. Or was it?

“I was basically the backup goalie all season, but I never really practiced it at all,” Belatreche said. “I did it when I was in Youth Soccer like when I was 12 or 13 but not since then.

“I had to do what I could to help my team, so I went to goalie,” Belatreche said, matter-of-factly.

Help the team? This kid might have saved the whole season! Looking at a 2-5-4 record before last week, Malden was basically on life support, as to State Tournament hopes.

Not anymore, after a pair of scintillating, back-to-back victories. Malden knocked off Somerville, 2-1, on Tuesday, October 7, and then Medford, 4-2, on October 9 to jump to 4-5-4. Coach Smith said he was not aware if Malden High School had ever swept Somerville and Medford for the season — as it did this year, winning all four outings against perennial GBL championship contenders.

A catalyst? The play of Belatreche in net, who combined for 19 saves in the two victories, not to mention all-game-long coaching from the net. “I would rather play out, but whatever it takes for a win!” Belatreche said with a smile.

For his efforts? Belatreche this week was named a Boston Globe Boys Soccer “Player of the Week” — the first Malden High player to get this honor in several seasons. “He [Belatreche] certainly deserved it. We knew he would give it his best shot, but he did a lot more than that when we really needed it,” Malden 22-year Head Coach Jeremiah Smith, himself a former Malden High soccer player, said.

“I was surprised,” Belatreche said when he learned of the newest honor from The Globe, “but I am proud for my team in getting those wins.”

YESSIR, YASSER!!

Malden High Girls Soccer earns State Tournament berth with 10th win

Head Coach Rick Caceda expected to improve on last season’s record, a year in which only four wins came across the table. But when his team surpassed expectations and earned its ninth win, a 2-1 victory over Lynn Classical on the road Tuesday, it triggered another result: an MIAA Division 1 State Girls Soccer Tournament berth. The win lifted Malden to 9-4-1 overall with four games left and the necessary point total (2 points for a win, 1 for a tie) to get the Tornados over the top.

“I’m thrilled for the team, the girls have worked very hard,” Coach Caceda said. “It’s never a given to get to the postseason but they certainly earned it. We are very proud of them.”

Malden was back in action last night, hosting Chelsea at Pine Banks at 4:15 and also home Friday, hosting Northeast Metro Tech at 4:15. The regular season concludes next week: Senior Night on Tuesday, October 21, hosting Revere at 6:00 p.m. at Macdonald Stadium, and Thursday, October 23, hosting Lynn English at Pine Banks at 4:15 p.m.