The Melrose High girls’ hockey team proved to be an upstart squad in 2024 and should be even more competitive next year. (photo by Raj Das edphotos.com)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
STONEHAM—The Melrose High girls hockey team finished their regular season on a bright note, playing some of their best hockey of the year.
Despite losses, Melrose has looked tough on the ice.
On Sunday afternoon in their season finale, Melrose was shutout by host Wakefield, 3-0, at the Stoneham Arena. It ends their season at 3-13-1 overall. Wakefield improved to 3-13-1 overall and 3-7-1 in the league as they were able to sweep the season series.
“We had some good looks but missed the net too often,” said Melrose head coach Frank Sorrenti. “We struggled all day with our shooting accuracy.”
Melrose ended up out-shooting the Warriors on net 28-16. Wakefield scored one goal each period. At the eight-minute mark of the first period, Sarah Aborn scored the first goal. The second tally came at the 4:45 mark as Molly Burns lit the lamp.
In the third, Gianna Scoppettuolo scored the game’s final goal. This game featured no penalties as it was a fast-moving contest.
Melrose goalie Ruby Hansen made 13 saves as she finished at 3-13-1 in net.
On Feb. 17, Melrose lost a heartbreaking 1-0 decision to visiting Stoneham-Wilmington at the Flynn Rink.
Stoneham-Wilmington was also able to sweep Melrose this winter as they won the first meeting, 9-1, back on Jan. 20. “This was out best effort all season from start to finish,” stated Sorrenti, despite the result. “That first game we played against them was probably our worst effort.”
Viven Savole was the hero for the guests in this game scoring in the 4-on-4 overtime session with 3:42 remaining. Melrose was out-shot on net, 31-21, as Hansen made 30 saves.
“She was unbelievable in net,” stated Sorrenti. “Our defense also played its best game of the year.”
On Feb. 14th Melrose was outscored, 7-5, by host Concord Carlisle at the Edge Rink in Bedford. With that win, the non-league Patriots were able to get a split of the season series as it also was their Senior Day.
This was another tough defeat as Melrose led, 3-1, going into the third period. “One player, (Maddy Humber) killed us,” admitted Sorrenti. “She is tall, rangy and she can shoot it.”
Humber, an eighth-grader, lit the lamp five times that day scoring four times in the final period. Her final goal came on the empty net with 36 seconds left to close the door.
“She did not play the first time we played them,” said Sorrenti, as Melrose won that game, 9-4, back on Jan. 13.
For Melrose, Ella Daniels had two goals and one assist while her sister, Grace, also scored once. Julia McNeeley and Addie Savage had the two other Melrose goals. The Patriots out-shot Melrose on net, 24-23, as Hansen made 17 stops.
