Post publication update:
No. 29 Melrose falls to No. 4 Canton in Div. 2 first round matchup by a final of 8-1.
Published October 31, 2025
Melrose field hockey to take on Canton in playoff opener Traveled this Thursday for a Div. 2 battle
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The Melrose High field hockey team is back in playoffs, just one year after a historic, postseason run that saw them earn their first-ever home playoff. Melrose (6-7-4) drew the No. 29 seed in the Div. 2 MIAA playoffs on Tuesday and at press time was slated to travel to Canton (13-1-4) to take on the No. 4 seed Bulldogs on Thursday Oct. 30 (post deadline) at 3:45 p.m. at Canton High.
“We’re so excited, it’s hard to think there was a time these girls didn’t make it,” says second-year head coach Olivia Cameron, who was at the helm of last year’s historic run. “This program is very special, and I give the girls a lot of credit for how much they want it and how much it means to them. It makes my life a lot easier as a coach because you can’t coach players to want to love the game and win.”
On paper, Canton arguably has the upper hand, but this is a Melrose team known to surprise, so don’t rule out an upset. “Canton will be a very strong team but nothing that we aren’t used to playing,” says the coach. “Luckily for us, we’re faced with such talented teams throughout the regular season, so we aren’t unfamiliar to that type of play. I’m excited for the girls, they are ready and prepared.”
Melrose finished another strong regular season with an impressive 1-0 win over Stoneham on Oct. 23, a victory that helped bolster Melrose in Power Ratings, no doubt. Scoring the winning goal was Melrose’s Sophia Hulbert.
“Stoneham has a really strong team and they have had a lot of ties this season due to their game strategy,” notes coach Cameron. “The first time we played them, we ended in a tie after multiple corners and shots on their goalie but we just couldn’t find the back of the net. This game was no different in terms of shots and corners but Sophia Hulbert found the back of the net in quarter 3 and they held onto it till the end of the game.”
That goal was aided by Melrose’s impressive defense. “Our defensive players in general played a really smart and strong game. They were prepared and they had great communication in the back field.”
Melrose also got another shot at state behemoth Watertown, who cruised past Melrose 12-0 last month in an uncharacteristically lopsided score. This time, the 4-0 loss to the Raiders was more controlled. Watertown also proved to be a good team to play right before playoffs. Talk about a primer.
“This game was so great for us because although we lost we could tell Watertown was frazzled,” says coach Cameron. “I always tell the girls that I don’t always care about the score when it comes to some of our opponents. Don’t get me wrong, I love to win and that is always the goal but energy and attitude during games such as Watertown shows more about the team. My girls showed great sportsmanship throughout the whole game. I think it’s important to credit wins in a game like that. I want my team to come out after and feel more confident in their play.”
With all that behind them, Melrose is prepared to take that confidence and energy on to the larger stage: Div. 2 playoffs. To pull off an upset coach Cameron would like to focus on some core elements as a team.
“We are just focusing on the controllables and those consist of our energy, communication, attitude, and composure,” she says. “It’s easy to be nervous during a game, get frustrated with a call by the ref, feel defeated after a play, but the game is 60 minutes and there is always another chance to turn it around and control what we can.”
Melrose is slated to play Canton on the road this Thursday (post deadline). The winner will advance to play the winner of Norwood and Oliver Ames. Fans are encouraged to visit our social media pages and the MIAA website at www.miaa.netfor up to date playoff game information.