THE MHS boy’ lacrosse team will host Watertown on Monday at 4:15 p.m. (Grace Gentile photo)
After press time:
Melrose defeats Stoneham 13-2 (May 15)
Melrose defeats Watertown 14-1 (May 13)
Melrose defeats Wilmington 12-7 (May 10)
Published May 17, 2024
By JENNIFER GENTILE
WOBURN—The Melrose High boys’ lacrosse team picked up a big, league win over Woburn on May 8 at Woburn High School when they beat the Tanners by a lopsided score of 16-4.
The two teams battled in a tight first quarter and Melrose held a small 2-1 lead after one but would later go on a bonanza in the second and third quarter, prompted by great face off work by Jack Wright.
“Jack does all the little things, he’s a very good D-Middie. He has developed into a very strong face off guy, and he has always been unselfish with his play and attitude,” says Melrose head coach Matt James. “He does whatever we need him to do to help the team.”
Despite the score, Woburn was a solid team that challenged Melrose at the start. Says the coach, “Woburn had a very good defense, so I was happy with the progression of our offense. I thought they made some significant improvements since our game last Friday [a loss to Arlington].”
Melrose had the opportunity to use two goalies in the day, Michael Fuccione and Noah Fay. “We wanted to get Noah Fay a few games before the playoffs,” says coach James. “He’s an outstanding goalie and we were very happy with how he played in the second half. Michael Fuccione started and made some great saves as well. We are really luck to have two amazing goalies.”
By halftime, Melrose had completely pulled away controlled the game in every area. The coach notes that second half play from Quinn Fogarty was key to maintaining a big lead. “Quinn had a really good game. He fit into the offense well and showed a lot of improvement.” Currently junior Nick Hitchman leads the team in goals and is closing in on 30 to the season.
Melrose (5-8) now will finish off with two Freedom League games and a few non leagues to round out regular season schedule. Currently power ranked #27 thanks in part to their tough schedule, an appearance in playoffs appears likely.
“We’re just getting better and trying to stack some wins,” said James. “We have a very hard schedule and for it to be worth it we need to be able to win league games. I think we have the 4th highest strength of schedule in D2 and we have competed in every game we’ve played.”
Indeed, their four-game streak of games that included North Andover, BC High, Needham and Exeter helped prepare them for a potential playoff run. Says the coach, “Those games were tighter than the scores and the boys competed exceptionally well and it showed in our games versus Lexington and Wakefield. Those games against some of the best teams in New England showed us how good we can be if we can put together a full 48 minutes, and that we can compete with almost anyone. We just need to find that ability to believe we can do it and find the right balance to get it done.”
