Sports: Boys' Soccer In Sluggish Tie, Volleyball Back On Track

Midway through the first half of the boys soccer match between host Belmont High School and the visitors from Burlington High, a full rainbow framed the play going on a blustery Harris Field.

And that was just about the only wonderful thing that occurred Monday, Oct. 7, for the Marauders as the Belmont 11 came off one of their best games of the season – a 1-0 loss to one loss Wilmington – with their most sluggish matches of the season as the teams ended in a 1-1 draw.

The performance by the team – missing scoring leader Michael Chertkov and midfield standout Nick Pearson who were out injured – was so discouraging that Belmont Head Coach Peter Guellnitz would only talk about the play of senior Andrew Strawbridge, who was very active down the right wing. 

"He cared out there. He worked out there. He made the effort to get to the ball rather then have it come to him. He was there today," said Guellnitz.

"And our goalie [junior Peter Berens] played well too,' said Guellnitz as he left the field.

With winds holding at a steady 20 mph from the south, each team had the wind to their back for a 40 minute half. And each team scored going into the headwind, with Belmont taking the lead in the final two minutes of the first half when senior Keith Burns slide a low, hard shot from 15 meters into the opposite side of the goal after receiving a perfect pass from junior Ben Lazenby. 

But Burlington found space in the middle of the Marauder defense with Burlington's midfielder Gerry Ramierez put a hard shot by Berens to even the score at one at 17 minutes in the final half. 

Belmont now stands at 6-1-3 with a visit to Wakefield on Thursday, Oct. 10.

Volleyball back on track

After going 5-3 to begin their season, the Belmont High Volleyball team spent a rather trying five days last week, losing three times to league competitors – Lexington and Winchester – and non-league Wayland, all by 3-0 decisions.

But the Marauders began this week at home and with a win, defeating Wilmington 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-14) and putting their record at 6-6. Belmont will take on Burlington on Wednesday, Oct. 9 at home and Wakefield away on Friday, Oct. 11.