Post publication update:
Melrose ties Stoneham 0-0 (Sept. 25)
Published September 26, 2025
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The Melrose High field hockey team picked up a Middlesex Freedom win over rival Wilmington at home on Sept. 18, thanks to a 3-0 shutout over the Wildcats.
“Wilmington was a strong opponent and we always know it will be a good game when we play them,” said Melrose head coach Olivia Cameron. “We started strong and ended strong, which helped us get this team win.”
Melrose saw goals from three different players: Sophia Hulbert, Anna Sullivan, and Zoe Blackburn, a well-balanced offensive attack. “Our goals were pretty spread out and it kept the momentum steady. We had a lot of chances on certain plays and attacking corners which was great to see,” says the coach.
At goal, Melrose keeper Charlotte Taylor earned her first official shut out of the season. “Charlotte has been so strong in net,” notes coach Cameron, who also points out the collective effort of their defensive squad. “Our defense has shown [strength] this season for sure,” says the coach. “Lindsay Minton, Saoirse Uzgiris, Brynn Baker, Callie Bolduc and Charlotte Taylor have been so strong. Elsie English also plays our lower midfielder, and she contributes a lot defensively for us as well.”
The win followed a road loss last week against a very tough Winchester team, a team who reached the Final 4 in Div. 1 state playoffs last year. Thus, Melrose was had their work cut out for them. “It was had a tough loss but it really allowed the team to take a step back and figure out how we can learn from the game,” says Cameron. “The whole team really came into the Wilmington game with strong energy all around and they wanted to win not only for themselves but for each other.”
This week Melrose will take on Stoneham at home on Thursday (post deadline). The Spartans are another team who has challenged Melrose in recent seasons. “Stoneham will be a very good game and it will be challenging for sure,” says the coach. “The scores this year across the board have been all over the place, so it is anyone’s game. Whoever shows up with a strong mindset ready to execute their skills, is the team that will come out on top.”
On Monday, Melrose will travel to Watertown to take on the perennial champ Raider team. There are certainly no nights off for this Melrose team in a very challenging season schedule. “Watertown is always a great game, and I really respect how they have played all these years,” says Cameron. “We enjoy testing our skills and it will be a great game to play next week.”
To pick up some more wins, coach Cameron would like to see the team do what they did in the victory against the Wildcats, which includes playing with confidence. “We are working on our confidence. This year especially, because we have so much talent and potential to execute everything we’ve been working on in practice,” says the coach. “I’m so proud of how they went into this game, and they showed that they wanted it.”