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Melrose defeats Burlington 2-0 (Oct. 19)
Melrose defeats Woburn 3-0 (Oct. 15)
Published October 17, 2025
Playoffs all but assured for girls soccer
Recent win over Wakefield has league title possible
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
MELROSE—The Melrose High girls soccer team is vying for a league title and is quite likely to qualify for playoffs following a key league win over rival Wakefield this week.
On Columbus Day, the Melrose High girls’ soccer team beat the Warriors, 3-1, on the road. With that victory, Melrose completed the season sweep over Wakefield as they won the first meeting, 2-1, back on Sept. 4 at home.
They are currently 7-5-2 on the season and power ranked #19 with four games to go in the regular season.
The Wakefield game was played in a downpour, which made the win more impressive. “The wind was actually a bigger factor than the rain,” pointed out Melrose head coach Olivia Downey. “It did play a role in the game.”
Melrose’s Abby Taylor scored the game’s first goal in the 18th minute off a corner kick by Sophie McElligott. McElligott also assisted on the next goal five minutes later as Ella Callahan scored. Wakefield cut the lead to one in the 60th minute but Melrose’s McElligott scored on the empty net on a 45-yard shot in the game’s last minute. Taylor assisted.
Kate Stratford the Melrose goalie in the first half and she did not face a shot on net. Lilah Croach played in net in the second half and had one save.
On Oct. 8, Melrose tied host Arlington 1-1. “We have not beaten Arlington in years,” pointed out Downey. “We almost were able to pull out the win. But to come out with a tie is still huge for us.”
In the 27th minute, Ella Beshel scored on a through ball by McElligott. That lead lasted until the 77th minute when the Spy Ponders tied it as Misha Zykorie scored.
“They pushed hard in the second half,” acknowledged Downey. “It is too bad because we played very good defense.”
Stratford played the first 30 minutes in goal and made five saves. Croach played the rest of the game and turned back four shots on net.
Coming up on Oct. 20, Melrose will host Burlington at Pine Banks. Melrose beat the Red Devils, 4-0, in the first meeting back on Sept. 10. On Oct. 22, Melrose visits Stoneham hoping to complete the season sweep against the Spartans as they won the first match-up, 6-0, back on Sept. 24 at home.