Post publication update:
Melrose falls to Watertown 2-0 (Oct. 27)
Melrose defeats Stoneham 2-0 (Oct. 22)
Published October 24, 2025
Boys’ soccer team enjoys Senior Night thriller
By CORY THOMAS
MELROSE—The Melrose High boy’s soccer team is keeping their playoff hopes alive after a much-needed 3-1 victory over league rival Burlington on Monday night in front of a home crowd there to also celebrate Senior Night.
Melrose improves their record to 6-7-1 on the year as they look to add wins to their state playoff resume.
Melrose honored their twelve seniors and their parents before the game in a nice on-field ceremony. Sure enough, the seniors led way for Melrose in this one, along with a two-goal performance from talented junior, Sirak Araia. Senior captain Owen Brown anchored the Melrose defense, along with seniors Josh Bird and Lucas Broduer, while seniors Aidan Murphy and Ryan Heipler each added an assist.
Senior captain Reon Anderson scored what many in attendance called the goal of the year for Melrose as he blasted a laser of a shot past the Burlington goalkeeper. Owen Brown was strong in net all game for Melrose, and was aided on defense by Seniors Max Rosnov and Malek Sayegh.
The win comes on the heels of last week’s 2-1 loss to Woburn on the road on Oct. 15. Melrose came out strong in the first half against Woburn carrying the play on offense behind Quinn Cantin, Henry Rahilly, and Ryan Heipler. Melrose was playing without senior captain Reon Anderson who was out due to an injury he suffered earlier in the week against Wakefield. Josh Bird and Lucas Brodeur were strong on defense when Woburn was able to counter the Melrose attack. The game remained scoreless through the first twenty minutes of the game. Henry Rahilly had a good chance in front of the Woburn goalkeeper, but the keeper was able to make the save. The teams would go into halftime in a scoreless tie. Woburn got the second half started with the games first goal, a corner kick set piece and a header by a forward that just eluded lunging goalkeeper Owen Brown to give Woburn a 1-0 lead. Woburn went ahead 2-0 off of a broken play and a 50-50 ball that the Woburn forward was able to chip past Brown and in for the 2-0 Woburn lead. Daniel Jimenez and Aidan Murphy added strong defense for Melrose, as did Ian McGrath in the midfield. Patrick Buggy scored a goal, that was assisted by Quinn Cantin, to bring Melrose within one at 2-1, but that’s as close as they would get. Senior captain Aidan Murphy had a beautiful kick off of a free kick that hit the crossbar and bounced away that would have tied the game but the score remained 2-1 with Woburn leading, and that’s how the game ended. Sometimes the other team gets the bounces.
Melrose gets another chance to pick up another win on Wednesday, October 22 against Middlesex league Freedom Division rival Stoneham (post deadline).