THE MELROSE High girls’ hockey team finished their first season as a re-joined Melrose High independent hockey team. (Photo by Raj Das, edphotos.com)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The Melrose High girl’s hockey team has wrapped up their season with the unique distinction of being a rebranded Melrose Red Raider team no longer married to “Stonerose” in a cooperative partnership with Stoneham High during 2019-2021. After sixteen games, Melrose left it on the ice with grit and determination and some competitive contests as the season concluded, including a tight 3-1 loss to rival Medford over the weekend.
Melrose says goodbye to three seniors who have seen it all while wearing two different uniforms, and their efforts will long be remembered by the team. Senior captain Itia Figueira and senior siblings Bridget and Caitlin Price have been longtime contributors to the program and their coach salutes their efforts. “These three were tremendous leaders and really helped us this year as we branched out on their own,” says Melrose coach Frank Sorrenti.
Figueira has been with Melrose since she was in 8th grade and was a part of Melrose’s league champion season in which they went 14-2 three years ago. Thus she’s Melrose’s most adaptable and consistent player, and also is one of Melrose’s leading scorers this year. Figueira had Melrose’s only score against Medford on Feb. 12. She, along with sophomore Lucy Clark, who had a recent score against Wakefield, were Melrose’s main offensive contributors this year. “Itia has improved so much over the course of her career,” says the coach. “She’s a real competitive, a great leader and while I wish we had more wins for her this season, she should be proud about how battle-tested she is as a player. Itia’s really seen it all.”
This season Bridget Price and Caitlin Price were mainstays on offense (Caitlin) and defense (Bridget). Transitioning from Stonerose to Melrose helped these girls earn a large amount of minutes on the ice. “These two both improved tremendously,” says the coach. “They become very strong leaders for us. Key on offense and defense.”
Over the course of the season, coach Sorrenti points to the team’s increased consistency on the ice, including the ability to pace themselves. “Our second periods were our weak spots to start,” he says. “But as our games went by, we held it down much better.”
Sorrenti also credited the excellent work of Ruby Hansen in the net. The eighth grader more than held her own up against some of the best shooters in the division. He says, “Ruby’s got the right attitude and perfect approach to the game. We’re so grateful for her. She had a lot of shots fired at her. The Middlesex League, in my opinion, is the best public school in the state. And I tell these girls this when they are facing a large deficit. Our improvements were gradual, and I think Ruby is an example of someone who is going to develop in to very key player.”
Look for 12 players to return next season, including seasoned upperclassmen Maddie Tobin and Lucy Clark, who will no doubt help steer the ship.
This team’s 8th grade class, meanwhile, shows much promise, according to the coach. Exit interviews have already been done and the goal for next season is to bring up the level of play.
Says Sorrenti, “These young players are the foundation of the future here. I’m trying to build a school program. We’re up against the private schools and the girls who stay here at Melrose High are going to get a lot of minutes on the ice against some great competition. That will really show people what they can do. If they went to an elite school, they may be sitting on benches, and who is going to see your talent? Here in Melrose the ice is theirs, so as far as I’m concerned the future is bright.”