The Mark Krauss Cup was established by Concord-Carlisle High School girls’ soccer Head Coach Peter Fischelis to raise funds to help the family of Mark Krauss, a longtime friend who passed away four years ago after battling frontotemporal dementia.
Fischelis invited four top Division One programs to play a two-day event on CCHS Memorial Field. Though the result did not go the Patriots’ way and Wellesley High School took home the trophy, the event was still a success: Over 600 people attended the four-game, two-day event and witnessed some excellent high school soccer.
The Raiders won the initial event 1-0 over North Andover. Junior Annie Comelia scored her second goal of the Cup at the 33-minute mark of the first half to give Wellesley the only goal it would need. Comelia took a pass from Peyton Keyes to put home the goal.
“This was an awesome experience for our team. The girls loved it,” said Wellesley Assistant Coach PT Donato (who took over after Head Coach Steve Bailen had to leave for business).
“North Andover is a good team, they play tough defense,” Donato added. “They will be a tough team in the tournament.”
Coming off the great win on Saturday and playing their third game in four days, North Andover came up just short in the end.
“This was a great experience,” said NA Head Coach Lisa Rasanen.
“It was good to play teams that play a different style and to play competition that is at a higher level,” Rasanen added. “We showed we could hold our own against higher-ranked teams.”
The consolation game saw Winchester edge Concord-Carlisle 3-2.
The Patriots scored first on a goal by senior Trinity Johnson. The Sachems knotted the score four minutes later with a header by Juliet Semmes. Winchester took the lead on Lucca Ventura’s goal and added its third goal when Sadie Stone found the back of the net.
The Patriots final goal was scored by Senior Captain Caroline Coletti in the 70th minute. C-C had opportunities for the tie but could not get a shot past Winchester Goalkeeper Brooke Schule.
“My hat is off to Peter for putting this event together,” said Winchester Head Coach Rick Emmanuel. “We are honored to have been invited to play.”
Wellesley came into the event ranked fourth in the MIAA Division One Power Rankings and on a seven-game win streak. They prevailed over #11 ranked Concord-Carlisle 2-0 on Saturday October 14 with two second half goals. Junior Annie Comelia struck first for the Raiders and senior captain McKay Pratt had the second goal.
Wellesley Head Coach Steve Bailen knows the Krauss family and has coached the three girls at Millis High School.
“This is a personal event for me,” said Bailen. “I lived in the same town as the family, and it is sad what happened … I tip my hat to Peter for starting this really important event so the community can give back to the family.”
It was an evenly matched game for the first 57 minutes before the Raiders finally got a shot past Patriots Senior Goalkeeper Alleyne Berlam.
“They [Wellesley] put pressure on us with their speed and physical play which took us off our game,” said C-C Coach Fischelis.
The opening game saw North Andover (5-4-3) upset third-ranked Winchester (11-0-0) 1-0. Sophomore forward Caitlin Scully beat the defense to the ball and then put the ball past Sachems Goalkeeper Brooke Schule for the only goal of the game. Scully had been called up to the varsity two days ago, and the goal was her second for the Knights.
“We have played good defense all season,” said Knights Head Coach Rasanen. “Today we played straight up tough defense,” Rasanen said, adding, “Our four seniors have provided outstanding leadership all season.”
