Shootout goes Minnechaug’s way in 2-1 playoffs loss
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
MINNECHAUG—It was a heartbreaker for the Melrose High girls’ varsity soccer team in their first 2025 playoff game as they fell, 2-1, to host Minnechaug in the MIAA Division 2 state tournament Round of 32 game on Nov. 4 out in Wilbraham, MA.
This game went the distance, as it was 1-1 after regulation and then saw two, ten-minute overtime sessions. The host then won in the shootout 5-3.
“It was a devastating loss,” admitted Melrose first-year head coach Olivia Downey. “It was a hard-fought game between two evenly-matched teams.”
With the loss, 17th-seeded Melrose ended another strong year at 11-6-2. Meanwhile, the 16th-seeded Falcons ended up losing to Duxbury, 6-2, in the Round of 16 game on Nov. 8 to end their 2025 campaign at 7-8-5.
After a scoreless opening half, Melrose broke the ice in the game’s 60th minute as Sophie McElligott, Melrose’s top scorer this year, scored from a shot from 18-yards out on a scrum that just went under the crossbar.
The Falcons tied it up ten minutes later scoring on a scrum in front of the Melrose net.
In the first overtime session, Melrose almost won the game as Aisling Donegan’s shot went off the crossbar. “We started to put some pressure in the middle since they were playing in a 4-4-2 formation,” pointed out Downey. “Anna (Mathews) took control in the middle and had a great game.”
Mathews is a junior center-midfielder who was able to find the gaps in the Falcon defense.
Minnechaug out-shot Melrose on goal, 7-6, as Melrose goalkeeper Kate Stratford made six saves.
In the shootout, the Falcons led 4-3 with one shot remaining and they closed the door with their fifth penalty kick setting off a wild celebration.
Kiera Brophy, McElligott and Ella Callahan had the three successful penalty kicks for Melrose.
It is the second year in a row Melrose has lost in the round of 32 as they fell, 3-0, to eventual state champions Masconomet last fall.