By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
MELROSE—The Melrose High girls soccer team earned their first win of the season on Sept. 5 when they shutout host Reading 2-0.
“We were able to wear them down,” said Melrose head coach Rob Mahoney.
Melrose’s Emma Drago had the first goal in the 19th minute on a rebound. The other tally came in the 15th minute of the second half as senior Cadence L’Heureux scored from 25-yards out with a shot that found the top corner of the Rockets net.
Melrose goalie Kate Stratford only had to make one save to record the shutout.
On Monday evening, the team hosted perennial power, Winchester, at Fred Green Field. Melrose ended up losing 1-0 as the Red and Black scored the game’s lone goal just four minutes into the opening half.
“They have a really good team again this year,” said coach Mahoney. “They are skilled and physical. It was a playoff type atmosphere and I was proud of our performance despite the result.”
Melrose goalkeeper, Kate Stratford, made eight saves against Winchester. “She played really well,” said Mahoney.
Mahoney was also pleased with he way of center-back Abby Taylor. “She was out there every minute and defended well,” said Mahoney, about the junior.
In the season opener on Sept. 3rd Melrose lost 1-0, to guest Belmont at Pine Banks. The Marauders scored with just over ten minutes left in the first half.
“We did not play up to our level of capability,” admitted Mahoney.
Stratford made eight stops in this game.
One player that has stood out the first three games, according to Mahoney is Anna Mathews. “She has played well after playing on the JV B team last year,” said Mahoney, about the sophomore center-midfielder.
Melrose fell to 1-2 while Winchester improved to 3-0. The Red and Black are a Division 1 team while Melrose competes in Division 2 so the loss won’t negatively affect Melrose’s power rankings.
All three games Melrose have played so far have been against the Middlesex League Liberty division schools and they will soon compete against ML Freedom division opponents which will mean smaller enrollment teams. That begins on Sept. 17 when they welcome Burlington at 4:15 pm.
But the next game for Melrose is on Sept. 15 when they host Mansfield in a non-league game at Fred Green Field at 4 p.m.