Melrose punches ticket for 1st time since 2017
After press time:
Melrose defeats Stoneham 6-3 (Feb. 15)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
BEDFORD— On Monday, June 10, the Melrose High girls’ hockey team officially punched their ticket to the MIAA Division 2 state tournament as they beat host Concord-Carlisle, 4-0, at the Edge Rink in Bedford.
Melrose qualifies for the states for the first time in seven years with the non-league win as they improved to 10-7-1 overall.
The progress Melrose has made this year has been exemplary as they won just two games two years ago, and three games last winter. This year’s roster is the same as last year with the exception of the two seniors they lost to graduation. The future is bright.
“One of our goals this year as to win ten games,” pointed out Melrose head coach Frank Sorrenti. “They were very excited and are now looking forward to the tournament.”
Melrose’s Julia McNeely was the star of this one as the junior recorded her first-career hat trick. “She has been terrific all year,” stated Sorrenti. “She brings a grit and edge to out team.”
Her first goal came at the 4:17 mark of the first period. She then scored at the 6:37 and 7:35 marks of the second. Melrose’s final goal came with 4:08 left in the third as Grace Doyle lit the lamp. Ella Daniels and Nora Murray, McNeely’s line mates each had two assists. Melrose goalie Ruby Hansen recorded her fourth shutout of the year as she made 12 saves. The junior improved to 10-7-1 in net.
The Patriots, meanwhile, fell to 1-14-1 with the loss.
On Feb. 8, Melrose fell to guest Burlington, 4-1, in a day game at Flynn Rink.
The teams ended up splitting the season series as Melrose won the first meeting, 5-4, back on Jan. 11. After a scoreless opening period, the Red Devils erupted for three goals in the second period. “They ran away with it and took control,” admitted Sorrenti.
Emma Steiner got the first goal with 13:11 left. Then, on a power play, Sofia Cleary made it 2-0. With 2:37 left, Chloe Rabazzi had the third tally.
Grace Daniels got the locals on the scoreboard with 11:55 left in the game but Steiner got the final goal with 2:53 left to thwart any comeback attempt. .
Burlington out-shot Melrose on goal, 33-16, as Hansen made 29 stops.
In another non-league game on Feb. 5, Melrose lost, 4-3, in overtime to host Beverly-Danvers at Bourque Arena on the campus of Endicott College. Morgan Linskey was the hero for the host scoring the game-winner 58 seconds into the 4-on-4 overtime session. “We were lucky to be in the game,” said Sorrenti. “They out-shot us 34-9 but Ruby kept us in the game.”
The Panthers scored first with 4:05 left in the opening period as Asuka Keough found the back of the net.
Melrose’s Anna Mathews tied it with 3:01 left assisted by McNeely. Meredith Johnston made it 2-1 for the home team 1:29 into the second but Melrose’s Grace Daniels tied it again 5:27 in. Matthews and Adriana Demsey both were credited with the assist. Melrose’s Grace Doyle gave Melrose their first lead of the night with 4:17 left in the third but the Panthers tied it up just 27 seconds later as Keough scored again to set up the overtime session.
Melrose wraps up the regular season on Feb. 15 as they go to the Stoneham Arena to take on Stoneham-Wilmington at 4:00 p.m. Melrose won the first meeting, 4-2, back on Jan. 18.