After press time: Melrose falls to Gloucester 6-4 (Jan. 3)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
MEDFORD—On Dec. 20, the Melrose High girls’ hockey team lost to visiting Winchester, 6-2, at Flynn Rink. The defeat was the third straight for Melrose who fell to 1-3 overall and 0-3 in the Middlesex League.
Winchester improved to 2-1 overall and 2-0 in the league with the win. “They lost a few of their players to graduation or who left for private schools but they are still a very good team,” said Melrose head coach Frank Sorrenti. “They have good size and have a strong senior goalie.”
Melrose did find the net however, scoring first 4:59 into the game as Julia McNeely lit the lamp assisted by Nora Murray and Teagan Holdsworth-Altman.
Winchester tied the game with 5:37 left in the first as their captain, Amy Kelly scored. Less than a minute later, the Red and Black took their first lead as Cate Sheehan made it 2-1.
With 1:45 left, Courtney Fisher scored to give the guest a 3-1 advantage going into the second period. McNeely cut the lead to one 4:50 into the second assisted by Melrose’s Murray and Lucy Clark.
Winchester then went up by two again with 3:08 remaining on a power-play goal by Scarlett Gustafson. Winchester then scored with only 16 seconds left as Fisher found the net again.
“That was the backbreaking goal,” admitted Sorrenti. “It is always tough to allow a goal in the last minute of a period, especially then.”
The final Red And Black goal was scored with 3:09 left in the game as Julia Legere scored.
Winchester dominated the territorial play out shooting Melrose on goal 37-8. Melrose goalie, Ruby Hansen, kept the game from getting out of hand by stopping 31 shots.
After a healthy holiday break Melrose’s next game was slated for January 3rd as they host non-league Gloucester at 6 pm. (post deadline)
They then return to Middlesex League action on Jan.7 as they take on host Wakefield. That game will be played at the Stoneham Arena and will start at 11 am.