Post-publication updates:
Melrose defeats Winchester 3-1 (Sept. 15)
Melrose defeats Burlington 3-0 (Sept. 10)
Published September 12, 2025
By CORY THOMAS
MELROSE—The Melrose High boy’s soccer team is off to a competitive start to their 2025 campaign, facing tough competition in the Middlesex League. On Thursday, September 4, D2 Middlesex League rivals Melrose and Wakefield met under the lights at Fred Green Memorial Field in front of a good crowd for this early season match-up. It resulted in a hard fought 1-1 draw that both teams would like to resolved when they face each other again in October.
On Thursday, both teams came out pressuring. A strong cross ball into the box by Melrose forward Henry Rahilly was headed away by Wakefield early and the Warriors countered, but goalkeeper Owen Brown was solid in net for Melrose. Melrose was carrying the play in the first half, thanks to attacking forwards Sirak Araia pushing the action with Henry Rahilly and Reon Anderson. They were rebuked by the active Wakefield goalkeeper Kai Mercer.
Lucas Brodeur found the ball on defense, in good hands with Owen Brown on the back line as defensive anchor. Brown turned in a big save mid-way through the first half, while Wakefield was buzzing in the Melrose zone as the teams remained scoreless during the first half.
Melrose midfielders Jack Drago and sophomore Quinn Cantin kept the offensive heat on Wakefield and Melrose senior captain Aidan Murphy was involved in the middle of the offensive action all game. Melrose goalkeeper Owen Brown was aggressive off the goal line. Senior Ryan Heipler and Aidan Murphy were chipping in at both ends for Melrose and Reon Anderson missed wide off a solid Heipler feed as both teams headed to halftime knotted at zero.
Wakefield came out strong in the second half, pressuring Melrose defense and goalkeeper Owen Brown, who made a strong save midway through the 2nd half. Jack Drago had a strong run that Wakefield turned away and countered with a run of their own that led to a Wakefield goal with 20 minutes left, as the Warriors went ahead 1-0.
Melrose responded as senior Pat Buggy and junior Sirak Araia combined with nice passing and a strong run to try for the equalizer, but Wakefield held strong. Sophomore Quinn Cantin led the Melrose attack and Melrose was buzzing in the Wakefield zone. Senior Ryan Heipler had a huge goal, converting off of pressure from Quinn Cantin as Melrose leveled the score, 1-1 late in the second half.
Both teams pressured the other late in the game for a chance to win. Reon Anderson had a nice chance but it was saved goalie Mercer with seven minutes to go. The score would remain tied as these two longtime rivals battles to a final score of 1-1.
On Sept. 8, Melrose traveled to Reading to take on the always-tough Rockets for their first road game. Reading brought pressure early and senior captain Owen Brown came aggressively off of his goal line to challenger the Reading attacker for a big early save.
Melrose had a nice run down the right side from senior captain Reon Anderson that went just wide. After another Reading rush and a Brown save, Melrose countered behind a strong end-to-end run by Reon Anderson that resulted in a Melrose set piece corner kick. Anderson took the corner and senior Max Rosnov headed high over the Reading goal. Reading countered with a strong run by forward Chase Daly, who made a shot that Brown skillfully saved. Anderson had another Melrose corner that junior forward Sirak Araia and senior Patrick Buggy each had good shots on but couldn’t beat Reading Goalkeeper Tommy Stathoulpopoulos. Senior captains Josh Bird and Aidan Murphy skillfully played the ball in the midfield to stifle the Reading offense and to spark chances for the Melrose offense. A strong Anderson run led to a Reading penalty, a free kick that Aidan Murphy took for Melrose to no avail. Melrose maintained the possession advantage in the first half, but they could not break through. A late Melrose chance almost gave the team a first half lead, as Sirak Araia unleashed a strong shot destined for the top right corner, but Reading’s goalkeeper Stathoulopoulous made a jumping one handed save to send the teams to halftime scoreless 0-0.
Eleven minutes into the 2nd, Reading’s Daly beat Brown with the first goal of the game to give Reading a 1-0 lead. Reading pressured Melrose again and Brown turned one shot away and then made a spectacular save on a quick rebound. However, the Reading pressure was too much as they traded slick passes to convert the second goal. Trailing 2-0, Melrose had to push the issue on offense and senior captain Josh Bird was up to the task. Converting a long high arching shot from thirty yards out that deftly found the back of the Reading net to close Melrose within one, at 2-1.
With under eleven minutes to play, Reading sophomore Chase Daly broke free for a long run and a dazzling goal, his second of the match to seal the victory, 3-1, for the host Rockets as Melrose falls to 0-2-1 all in the Middlesex League.
Melrose travels to Burlington on Wednesday evening (post deadline) as they look to earn their first victory of the season. They will host Winchester at Pine Banks on Monday at 4:15 p.m.