Post publication update:
Melrose defeats Burlington 3-1 on Senior Night (Oct. 20)
Melrose falls to Woburn 2-1 (Oct. 15)
Published October 17, 2025
Boys’ soccer team topped by Spy Ponders
Melrose (5-6-2) fighting for playoff spot
By CORY THOMAS
MELROSE—A busy week in the Middlesex League saw the Melrose High boys’ varsity soccer team take on league leaders Arlington (10-1-1) on October 8 at Pine Banks. Despite playing a strong game, Melrose fell to a tough Arlington, 2-0, in a game that was much closer than the final score would indicate.
Arlington came out fast and aggressive and Melrose was up to the challenge as they played sound defense behind Josh Bird, Lucas Brodeur and Max Rosnov, who all took turns breaking up Arlington advances. When Arlington did get a shot on goal, Owen Brown was there to punch it away. Henry Rahilly got the Melrose offense going with a nice shot that went just high of the Arlington net.
Owen Brown was aggressive off his goal line as he came out to challenge an Arlington attacker and he was able to make a big save to keep the game scoreless early in the first half. Daniel Jimenez and Aidan Murphy both were playing effectively in the middle on offense and defense for Melrose. Owen Brown made another strong save late in the first half to keep things scoreless. Jack Drago had a nice run on offense for Melrose but couldn’t convert. Arlington was mounting a lot of pressure in the Melrose zone and under that pressure, Melrose misplayed a ball unfortunately and it got behind Brown for the games first score, an own goal from Melrose as Arlington went ahead 1-0 and it would stay 1-0 into halftime.
The second half began with Reon Anderson controlling things on offense for Melrose as they looked to level the score. Ryan Heipler and Sirak Araia added offensive pressure for Melrose, but they could not solve the stout Arlington defense. Reon Anderson’s hustle drew a foul and a yellow card on Arlington but Melrose cannot convert the free kick. Gavin Barsoti had a strong game for Melrose and Quinn Cantin showed skill and hustle all afternoon long. A great set up out in front of the Melrose goal led to an Arlington goal late in the second half for the 2-0 final score.
Days later, Melrose then turned their sights on Middlesex Freedom rival Wakefield in Wakefield at Walsh Field on a holiday matinee played in the middle of a driving Nor’easter with first place in the Freedom division on the line. The weather and driving rains and wind made playing conditions difficult. Wakefield was able to capitalize first on a corner kick that was headed by a Wakefield forward off the crossbar and in behind Owen Brown as Wakefield went ahead 1-0.
Melrose tried to counterattack, sparked by their defensive leaders Josh Bird and Lucas Brodeur. Aidan Murphy and Quinn Cantin got some offensive pressure going for Melrose and a hustling Patrick Buggy led to a free kick that Melrose could not convert. Ian McGrath was playing strong for Melrose in the midfield all game long. Late in the first half with Wakefield attacking, they used the same set play to capitalize once again as Wakefield was able to convert a corner kick into a goal off a header out front as Wakefield took a 2-0 lead into halftime in worsening conditions.
Ryan Heipler and Sirak Araia tried valiantly to get the Melrose offense going in the second half, but the weather and Wakefield’s strong second half defense, protecting a 2-0 lead made things difficult for Melrose. Owen Brown made save after save keeping Melrose close. Quinn Cantin had a good chance that the Wakefield goalkeeper got a hand on to deflect it off the crossbar as the score remained 2-0. Wakefield then converted on their third goal as the ball squirted free in front of Owen Brown and Wakefield put it in for the 3-0 lead.
Melrose would continue to battle as Ali Abidi worked hard in front of the Wakefield goal to send one in, to make the score 3-1. That would be the final score as Wakefield emerged with the key Freedom Division victory, 3-1. Melrose will try to regroup in Woburn on Wednesday (post deadline). They have some key Freedom League games on the schedule thereafter, with just four more regular season games to go.