Holding their own against league best
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
READING—The Melrose High girls’ hockey team fell to host Reading, 4-1, at the Burbank Arena on Saturday, Dec 16. With the defeat, Melrose’s record fell to 1-2 overall and 0-2 in the Middlesex League.
The Rockets, meanwhile, improved to 1-2 overall and 1-1 in the league.
“I was very proud of the way we competed,” said Melrose head coach Frank Sorrenti, despite the result. “They are one of the top two teams in our league along with Burlington in my opinion.”
After a scoreless opening period, the Rockets scored just one minute into the second stanza as Al Sumner scored.
Jessica Talfy then lit the lamp with 7:47 remaining to make it 2-0.
Melrose’s Kate Rynack ruined the shutout by cutting the lead to one on a goal with 4:31 left, assisted by Riley Bolducass and Grace Daniels. In the third, Gisella Ciano made it 3-1 with 8:23 left and Talfy scored the final goal of the night on the power play with three minutes remaining.
Reading out-shot the Melrose on goals 22-14, as Melrose goalie Ruby Hansen (1-2) made 18 saves.
In the home opener on Dec. 13th, Melrose blanked by Belmont-Watertown, 3-0, at the Flynn Rink. “Our effort was uneven,” admitted Sorrenti. “We were shut down offensively.”
Melrose only had one shot on net combined in the first two periods as they finished with just nine shots on goal.
The Marauders, meanwhile, peppered 34 shots on Hansen, who made 31 stops.
“Ruby stood on her head and kept the score respectable,” stated Sorrenti, as a majority of the action took place in the Melrose zone.
Two minutes in, Ruby Jones scored the game’s first goal. Allison Caputo then made it 2-0 with 1:18 left in the first.
Molly Driscoll then scored the final goal one minute into the second period. “Driscoll is quite a player,” pointed out Sorrenti. “She hurt us last year when Watertown was combined with Lexington.”
Melrose will have the Christmas Vacation week off and will return to action until Jan. 3rd. That night they will host Gloucester in a non-league game. Face-off is at 6 pm.
Upcoming games
Wed. Jan. 3 v. Gloucester, 6:00 p.m.
Sun. Jan. 7 @ Stoneham, 11:00 a.m.
Wed. Jan. 10 v. Burlington, 6:00 p.m.