Updates post publication:
Melrose defeats Wakefield 3-0 (Oct. 18)
Melrose defeats Burlington 2-0 (Oct. 20), clinches Middlesex League title.
Melrose defeats Wilmington 1-0 (Oct. 23), improves to 12-2-1
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
MELROSE—The Melrose High girls soccer team is going to a post season after picking up their 9th win of the season on Oct. 13 when the Melrose High girls soccer team shutout visiting Watertown Raiders, 2-0, at Pine Banks. With that win, Melrose was able to compete the Watertown series sweep.
Melrose goalkeeper Ava Tormo earned the shutout with one save against the 1-12 Watertown squad, to help Melrose improve to 9-2-1 overall and 8-2-1 in the Middlesex League.
After a scoreless opening half, Melrose’s Ellie Deeble broke the ice, scoring ten minutes into the second half on an Ella Callahan assist. That was Deeble’s fifth goal of the year as she is second on the team in goals.
Just two minutes later, Sophie McElligott, the team’s top scorer, made it 2-0 and that tally was unassisted.
It was the eighth goal of the season for the sophomore forward.
“It was a very complete performance,” said Melrose head coach Rob Mahoney. “We got back to playing our style of game that we were not able to do against Arlington the game before.”
In that game, Melrose lost 2-1 on the road against a similarly matched Spy Ponder team (9-3-1) on Oct. 11. Things started well for the locals as they scored five minutes into the game. Melrose’s Deeble had the tally, assisted by Lily Nolan. The Spy Ponders tied it three minutes into the second half as Abby Greable scored. The game winner came with 15 minutes left as Virginia Paolillo scored on a free kick. Tormo made eight stops in that game. “Arlington and Winchester are the two best teams we have played so far,” said Mahoney after the game. “They do a really good job of pressuring the ball.”
Melrose will now face their remaining Freedom League opponents for a second time. After a rematch against Wakefield on the road on Wednesday (post deadline) Melrose welcomes Burlington to Pine Banks on Oct. 20 at 4:15 pm. They will visit Wilmington on Oct. 23rd to play under the lights at 6:00 p.m. Two days later, the Red Raiders visit Stoneham at 4:15 pm.