By Stephen Martellucci
PEABODY—The Melrose High girls’ varsity soccer team recently celebrated their season ending banquet after their fall competitive season. Four awards were handed out at the banquet held at Spinellis in Peabody.
The MVP Award went to junior utility player Abby Taylor while the Unsung Heroine Award went to senior defenseman Alex Leeman. Junior midfielder, Aisling Donegan, received the Most Improved Player Award. The Steven Turner Award, given to the player showing the most character, dedication and sportsmanship, went to senior defenseman Jill Frawley. Taylor and Frawley were both Middlesex League All-Stars this fall.
This season, Melrose finished at 9-9-2 as they lost, 3-0, at Masconomet in the MIAA Division 2 Round of 32 game. Masconomet ended up winning the state title. In the Middlesex League, Melrose finished in second place behind Wilmington in the Freedom Division. Melrose was 8-7-1 in the league overall and 7-2-1 in the Freedom Division.
“We had a lot of adversity this year with the injuries and tough breaks we sustained,” said Melrose head coach Rob Mahoney. “The girls showed a lot of heart and fight.”
Melrose will lose seven seniors the graduation. Along with Leeman and Frawley, they will also lose Emma Stratford (striker), Sophia DiCalogero (midfielder), Cadence L’Heureux (outside- midfielder), Chole Mahoney (striker) and Paige Crovo (midfielder). Mahoney and Crovo were the two captains.
“This program started in 1989 and this was the most successful class in team history,” said coach Mahoney. “This group helped turned the program around.”
Melrose is slated to return 14 veterans back next fall. The two captains next year, that were selected by the players, are Abby Taylor and junior midfielder, Sophie McElligott.
