Update after press time:
Melrose defeats Stoneham 18-9 (May 19)
Melrose defeats Methuen 10-9 in OT (May 15)
Published May 16, 2025
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
Melrose (10-4) can clinch Freedom title this week
WILMINGTON—The Melrose High girls lacrosse team is returning to the MIAA Div. 2 playoffs after a series of wins against Middlesex League foes that have them 10-4 overall (6-3 Middlesex) and unbeaten at 5-0 in the Freedom Division, poised to take the league title.
Additionally, they are Power Ranked high at #9 in Div. 2, which all but assures a home playoff opener.
In the past week, Melrose launched a four-game winning streak. The most recent win was on Tuesday afternoon on a warm sunny day on the road in Wilmington, where they came up victorious, 17-6. “It was a great all-around team win,” said Melrose head coach Alicia Geiter. “We had a lot of different players score.”
Melrose took command in the opening half and had a lead of 12-2 at the break. Chloe Arnold led the offense with four goals while Anna Mathews had three goals and two assists. The Daniels sisters, Ella and Grace, each scored twice while Grace had one assist. The Healy sisters, Lauren and Addie, both scored once. Julia McNeely had one goal and one assist. Single goals were scored by Ruby Sterling, Kiera Brophy and Bella Ferranti. For Brophy and Ferranti, it was their first-career goals.
Melrose goalie, Izzy Costello, made seven saves in net to improve to 10-4.
On May 10, Melrose beat guest Beverly, 13-9, at home in a non-league game at Fred Green Field. Melrose led this one, 8-3, at the half and, 12-4, after the third quarter. “We talked about not taking any quarters off,” said Geiter. “We were outscored, 5-1, in that final quarter. We won the game, but this was a good lesson for them.”
Arnold, the team’s top scorer, had six goals and two assists. Jill Frawley had three goals and four assists. Grace Daniels, McNeely, Mathews and Kelly Downs had the four other Melrose goals. Costello made seven stops in this game as well.
The day before the Beverly win, Melrose defeated Woburn, 14-6, on the road on a rainy day. “With the weather, it was a sloppy game with a lot of turnovers,” recalled Geiter. “We did win a lot of the draws.” Melrose led the Tanners, 8-3, at the half. Arnold led the offense with four goals while McNeely netted three. Costello has five stops in net.
Melrose looks to finish their final three regular season games on a continued winning note.
On May 19, Melrose will visit Stoneham at 4:15 pm. They then wrap up the regular season on May 21 as Melrose hosts Watertown at 4:00 p.m.