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Melrose defeats Stoneham 1-0 (Sept. 24)
Published September 26, 2025
Flawless weekend for MHS soccer boys
5-0 shutout over Wilmington on Soccer Night
By CORY THOMAS
MELROSE—It was a great night soccer on Friday, September 19 when the Melrose High boy’s varsity soccer team, in coordination with the girls team, hosted the sixth annual Soccer Night in Melrose where they took on the Wilmington Wildcats in front of family and friends and members of Melrose Youth Soccer, who accompanied the team on to Fred Green Memorial Field at the start of the game.
The large crowd and soccer enthusiasts in the stands were treated to a fine display of soccer as Melrose rolled to a 5-0 shutout victory over Wilmington, Melrose’s third straight Middlesex League victory. Melrose now has a record of 3-2-2 and remains unbeaten since Sept. 8.
Against Wilmington, Melrose’s Henry Rahilly applied early pressure on offense and Ian McGrath controlled the middle of the field with his heady defensive play. Melrose’s Reon Anderson took an early corner kick for Melrose and he was able to connect with the skilled Sirak Araya out front for the goal and a 1-0 Melrose lead.
Melrose’s Daniel Jimenez was playing strong defense and Reon Anderson and Aidan Murphy controlled the ball on offense. Goalkeeper Owen Brown remains a weapon on defense and also offense, where his aggressive style of play is always looking for opportunities to spark the Melrose attack. Early in the first half, Brown launched a long, onside pass to Reon Anderson that was just broken up in the box by Wilmington’s defense.
Ali Abidi added solid offensive pressure for Melrose that Patrick Buggy was able to convert for his first varsity goal to put Melrose up, 2-0. The Melrose offensive attack was relentless with pressure by sophomore Quinn Cantin that drew a penalty kick by Reon Anderson that was saved by the Wilmington goalkeeper, but junior Gavin Barsoti scored on the rebound to put Melrose ahead, 3-0 with ten minutes to play in the first half. This was Barsoti’s first varsity goal, as well. Malek Sayegh was playing lockdown defense for Melrose, as he broke up a Wilmington chance just before half time.
Melrose’s Daniel Jimenez was smooth and controlled with the ball in the midfield and they did a good job of limiting Wilmington’s offensive chances. Malek Sayegh had a shot off a Reon Anderson corner kick, which was saved by Wilmington early in the second, but Melrose’s attack was relentless as they kept the pressure in Wilmington’s end for long stretches of play. During an offensive flurry in the second half, Sirak Araia found the back of the net, assisted by a nice feed from Aidan Murphy to make it 4-0, Melrose.
Wilmington had limited offensive chances but when they did, Owen Brown was there to punch shots away. Melrose returned to the offensive attack and they connected on another goal, this one from Henry Rahilly that was assisted from Anderson and Quinn Cantin, to push the score to 5-0 Melrose.
Jack Drago showed relentless pressure and Alec Truesdale displayed good play on both ends for Melrose. Jack Shea and Ali Abidi worked some nice passes to set up a Jack Drago chance that was punched away by the Wilmington keeper. Final score was 5-0 in favor of Melrose.
On Monday, September 22 Melrose traveled to Dilboy Stadium to take on the Somerville Highlanders in a non-league match-up. Melrose’s Owen Brown quickly showed Somerville why he’s such a defensive weapon for Melrose, with his kicking ability to turn the field from defense to offense with his long clearing kicks. Brown got a lot of help on defense from Lucas Brodeur, Josh Bird and Daniel Jimenez. Reon Anderson orchestrated the offensive action on the pitch for Melrose, while Aidan Murphy and Gavin Barsoti showed heady play in the neutral zone for Melrose. Somerville applied pressure to Melrose in the first half, when a free kick from fifteen yards out sailed high over Owen Brown, and a subsequent Somerville try went high as the Highlanders pressed on offense. Owen Brown had a nice save for Melrose amidst the pressure. Ali Abidi sent Sirak Araia on a good run for a Melrose chance, but the Somerville goalkeeper stopped his attempt. Shortly after, Reon Anderson’s corner kick could not connect while Ryan Heipler was also applying good pressure on offense for Melrose. Luke Brodeur had a strong defensive play with five minutes to go before halftime. Quinn Cantin had a nice tackle to break up a Somerville chance. Josh Bird cleared another try as Somerville pressured Melrose and Owen Brown had a tremendous diving save at the right post to keep the game scoreless. Quinn Cantin’s hustle led to a corner chance for Melrose but Anderson could not connect with anyone out front. Aidan Murphy and Quinn Cantin controlled the middle zone for Melrose, while Josh Bird and Lucas Brodeur cleared things out on defense. Gavin Barsoti chipped in on both ends while Aidan Murphy had a big break up with ten minutes to go in a still-scoreless game with Somerville. Strong defense from Sayegh, with less than five minutes to go, helped secure the scoreless 0-0 tie against Somerville, earning Melrose (3-2-2) a point for the tie.
The team will resume Middlesex Freedom play when they travel to Stoneham on Wednesday Sept. 24 (post deadline) and to Watertown on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.