Updates post publication:
Melrose falls to Stoneham 3-0 (Sept. 28)
Melrose falls to Lexington (Oct. 6)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
EVERETT—The Melrose High field hockey team picked up their first win of the season when they traveled to Rivergreen Park in Everett on Monday, Sept. 25 to take on the Crimson and prevailed in a 5-3 victory.
The team played a tough first quarter and saw Melrose senior captain Megan Jancaitis score in the opening minutes of the game backed by solid goalkeeping by Melrose senior captain Layla Szymczak.
In the third quarter, Melrose found the net twice more courtesy of goals from junior Alex Zaino and freshmanMary Atkinson. And while the Crimson would make it a 3-1 game and close the gap at 3-2 in the fourth, Melrose scored their final 2 goals with 4:30 left to play thanks to freshmen Anna Sullivan and Grace Jenkins who scored to put Melrose up 5-3. Those goals would be key to the win, as the Crimson would score another goal in the final frame.
It was a solid victory that saw Melrose maintain ball control for most of the game. Says coach Claire Grogan, “We possessed the ball a lot, so it was great to finish on the plays.”
“Everett hung in and played with a lot of energy. They also did a nice job capitalizing on breakaways, so we are making that a focus to change in our play,” she noted after the game.
Melrose would go on to lose a tough home game against Wilmington on Tuesday but looks to rebound against Stoneham, who they host Thursday (post deadline) at Fred Green field. Action takes place under the lights at 6:30 p.m.
