Post-publication updates:
Melrose falls to Winchester 3-0 (Sept. 15)
Melrose falls to Mansfield 4-3 (Sept. 12)
Melrose defeats Burlington 4-0 (Sept. 10)
Published September 12, 2025
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
MELROSE—On Monday afternoon, the Melrose High girls’ soccer team defeated visiting Reading, 4-1, at Pine Banks. With the victory, Melrose improved to 2-1 overall and in the Middlesex League, following another win over Wakefield last week.
Against Reading, Melrose scored twice in each half as they never trailed. Sophie McElligott scored the first goal of the afternoon for Melrose on a pass by Chloe Arnold in the 27th minute.
“That was a nice through ball by Chloe,” pointed out Melrose rookie head coach Olivia Downey.
The second goal came off a corner kick by senior co-captain Abby Taylor that found its way into the Rockets net in the 34th minute. Taylor struck again in the fourth minute of the second half heading a corner kick by McElligott. “That was a highlight-reel goal,” said Downey.
Reading got on the scoreboard in the 63rd minute but Melrose scored the final tally in the last minute as Aisling Donegan found the net, assisted by Kiera Brophy.
Kate Stratford got the win in goal as she made two saves in the first half. Fellow junior Lilah Croach played in net in the second half and she also recorded a pair of saves.
On Sept. 4, Melrose nipped Wakefield, 2-1, at home.
McElligott scored the game’s first goal in the 23rd minute assisted by Ella Callahan as Melrose led, 1-0, at the half.
In the second stanza, Addie Healy made it 2-0 in the tenth minute, assisted by her sister Lauren.
The Warriors cut the lead to one, converting on a penalty kick in the 67th minute due to a hand ball, but were not able to score the game-tying tally. “It is always nice to beat our rival,” said Downey. “Our defense was very solid.”
Croach was the winning goalie in this game as she made two saves in the first half. Stratford also stopped two shots on net in the second half.
It was also Downey’s first-ever varsity win as a head coach. There was much to celebrate. “I was more concerned about how the girls played but, when the game was over, it was nice to reflect and it was really fun,” said Downey, about recording her first win.
In the season opener on Sept. 2, Melrose fell to host Belmont, 2-0, under the lights at Harris Field. “They are a top-tier team and are very fast,” said Downey, about the Marauders, who are in the Middlesex League Liberty division. “We played them strong and were able to keep up with them.”
Belmont scored their first goal midway through the first half. The other goal came in the game’s final minute. Stratford started in goal and made five saves in the first half. Croach turned back six shots in the second half.
On Sept. 12, Melrose plays its first non-league game of the year as they visit Mansfield at 4 pm. They then return to ML action on Sept. 15 as they visit Winchester. That game will start at 4:15 pm.