Update after press time: Melrose drops first game of season, falling to Reading 12-1 (April 4)
Published April 4, 2025
Melrose takes down Lynnfield, Belmont to start 2-0
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The Melrose High boy’s varsity lacrosse team is off to a quick 2-0 start to the season after a home opening win over Lynnfield, 11-7, on Friday, March 28 at Fred Green Field and a road win over Belmont, 12-2, on Tuesday. In that game Melrose’s Noah Fay had a big 26 saves at net.
Melrose kicked off their winning ways on March 28 against a competitive Lynnfield team, who beat Melrose in 2024. This time Melrose was in control and was led in scoring by senior captain Nick Hitchman, who had 5 of the team’s goals while teammate Finn Alpers clocked in with three.
Melrose was simply dominant in the first half, taking a big 10-2 lead at halftime and the Pioneers were plucky in the second half holding Melrose to just a goal while Lynnfield’s Kelan Cardinal scored four times for the Pioneers. But it was enough for Melrose to keep a convincing edge and clinch the 11-7 win.
New Melrose head coach Jeff Heater earned his first varsity victory for Melrose.
Melrose maintained most of the possession in the first half and
scored just a minute into the game when Quinn Fogarty found Nick Hitchman for a goal. Melrose’s Luke DiMilla scored unassisted at 8:38 and Hitchman and Fogarty teamed up again for Hitchman’s second goal of the game, as Melrose sailed out to a 3-0 lead with 4:57 left in the first. The goals kept piling on for the boys in red and white thanks to Finn Alpers who scored off a Nolan Clarke assist. Lynnfield finally got on the board to make it a 4-1 game when Mike Murphy scored with three minutes to go. Alpers struck again for Melrose to make it a 5-1 game.
Melrose goalie Noah Fay had a key save with less than two minutes to halftime, before Nick Hitchman scored unassisted. Melrose’s Quinn Fogarty scored on a Sean Maher assist to give the team a 7-1 lead with 25 seconds left in the quarter.
In the second, Melrose continued to roll, scoring courtesy of Sam Moore (unassisted) and Nick Hitchman (Milo Mujali assist). Finn Alpers would score Melrose’s 10th goal before Lynnfield’s Kelan Cardinal made it a 10-2 game as halftime commenced.
After the half Lynnfield, and Kelan Cardinal, came out supercharged and outscored Melrose 5-1 on a series of Lynnfield goals, along with teammates Owen Considine and John Powers, who also scored to make the game closer. But Melrose defense, including at strong Noah Fay at net, held them off as the buzzer signaled the end of the game.
After the follow up victory against Belmont, Melrose is entering the weekend in a great spot. They hope to continue their winning ways this Friday afternoon when they host arch rival Reading in what will be must see game at 4:15 p.m. at Fred Green Field.