Marblehead High boys soccer coach Elmer Magana couldn’t have asked for a better start to the 2025 season. Two games, two wins, you can’t get much better than that.
The Magicians first defeated Northeastern Conference rival Masco in the home opener at Piper, 4-3 on Sept. 3. It was then off to Everett two days later to face the non-league Crimson Tide, and by game’s end they ended up shutting out the Greater Boston League school, 2-0.
“The game against Masco lived up to its expectations,” said Magana. “It was a battle throughout between two skillful squads, only this time Masco added physicality to its game. We suffered four injuries to key players, but no matter how hard they were chopping at us, we pushed back, and played our possession game with accurate passes.”
The Chieftains scored the first two goals of the game, but the Marblehead boys were able to tie up the proceedings just before halftime. The host team also scored the next two goals to take the lead for good. But with 10 minutes left, Masco trimmed it back to one. The Magicians could have eased the tension. They had three chances to score that critical insurance tally, but were denied on each occasion.
Senior goalie Matias Watts-Cruz came up with four critical stops to help preserve the close victory.
“I’m extremely proud of my boys for sacrificing body and soul to get this win,” said Magana. “We were the first NEC school to beat Masco three years ago, and have already done it again this year with a never give up fighting spirit. Throughout the past two years, our games against Masco have been decided by one goal.”
Mark Vinokur, David Magen, Miles Fontela-Tuttle and Adam Loughlin scored the Marblehead goals. Julian Poitevin, Bubacarr Jallow and Fontela-Tuttle collected the assists.
After the long bus ride to Everett and only having 10 minutes to warm up, the Crimson Tide was able to press the Magicians right away, but the visitors didn’t give up a goal in the first half. Watts-Cruz was responsible for most of that defensive effort with three key saves, and then went on to shut them down the rest of the way to secure his first varsity shutout.
It was all Marblehead in the second half. “We pressed them, and contested every ball,” said Magana. “We adapted to a quick passing attack, and at the other end of the field we created scoring opportunities for ourselves.”
Fontela-Tuttle scored on a breakaway assisted by Magen to account for one goal. Ilan Druker then scored the insurance tally on a penalty kick after Magen was attacked in the box.
“I’m very proud of my boys for overcoming adversity,” said Magana. “We faced a talented opponent, and won, despite the injuries that we sustained from the Masco game.”
