Melrose earned first home playoff win in 20 years
THE MELROSE High field hockey team embarked on a historic run, when they beat Amherst Pelham on Thursday Oct. 31, which represented their first home playoff win in over 20 years. (photo by Raj Das edphotos.com)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—It was a joyride season for the Melrose High field hockey team who achieved the near impossible by not only qualifying for a post season tournament play after a 3-10-3 season, but also taking a home win in the opening round, a first for the team in over twenty years.
It came on Thursday, Oct. 31 at Fred Green Field when Melrose shutout Amherst Pelham, 1-0 courtesy of a sole goal by Melrose’s Mary Atkinson. Melrose went on to fall to Norwood in a 6-0 shutout just days later, but the achievement by this team, and this important Amherst Pelham win will surely set the tone for the program.
First year coach Olivia Cameron was thrilled at the accomplishment. “I was at a loss for words! Being a first year coach I never knew how rewarding it was to watch your team succeed. I told them how proud I was of them and how we needed to do it again the next day against Norwood.”
She also credited Atkinson for the game-winning goal, the only one scored all evening. “Mary has been a key player and goal scorer for us, especially on corners. Sophia Hulbert inserted the ball for our corner and it went to Mary who has a straight shot to the back of the net. It truly set the tone for the whole game especially because we had 20+ shots on goal and Mary being able to capitalize on one of those shots, set the pace for the rest of the game.”
For several years Melrose field hockey has been in a slow crawl to the top, with several near-miss playoff runs in recent seasons. Their previous playoff run was in 2009 in a 6-6-6 season. They last had a playoff win at home in 1996 under the guidance of Jan Johnston. To say this is significant is an understatement.
Thanks in part to a very difficult Middlesex League schedule and some late season clutch wins and ties, Melrose made playoffs, drawing the No. 32 seed in Div. 2 last week. They were quickly paired against Amherst Pelham, who traveled to Melrose on Halloween, giving the hometown team a rare home playoff game, which the girls maximized to victory.
Melrose had to be ready fast when the brackets were released, notes the coach. “All we could do was be prepared for anything. We continued practicing and set up a last minute scrimmage against Malden to keep momentum going. These girls were beyond excited.”
Melrose maintained possession for most of the first half but the Hurricanes posed for of a threat against Melrose and their senior goalie Elena Fuentes, who earned the shutout for Melrose. “Elena was crucial with communication throughout the game and ready for any shot that came her way. Amherst-Pelham earned a corner at the end and between our defensive corner unit (including Elena) they stayed calm and secured the win.”
When Amherst Pelham revived their game and showed speed in the second half, Melrose defense was ready thanks to work from Elsie English, Zoe Blumenthal, Lindsay Minton, Saoirse Uzgiris and Ava Viola. Says the coach, “They kept us in the game and stayed on their toes ready for whatever came their way.”
Melrose was faced with the formidable challenge of traveling to play No. 1 seed Norwood the next day. The Mustangs have Div. 1 college commits on the team, and sure enough, Melrose fell 6-0 to finish their playoff run. But the game was not without its strong points.
“The girls were nervous but ready. During the first and second quarters, we came out with high energy and Anna Sullivan had an early shot on net. We kept up with the pace during the first half. Norwood is a very talented team and they were very respectful and never stopped trying to score and play their best and that goes for Melrose too.”
While Melrose’s memorable season has ended, coach Cameron is grateful for the four long time varsity seniors that are graduating this year: Sofia Sullivan, Ava Viola, Elena Fuentes and Alex Zaino.
“I really lucked out with them this year. I imagine coming into your senior season [with a new coach] isn’t the most settling feeling. Yet, they came in with a good attitude and made the best of their last season playing together. All the younger players will miss them and I will too, but I can’t wait to keep in touch because I know I will see them at some games next year watching their friends play!”
Melrose also returns a lot of now-seasoned players who have playoff experience under their belts, which means they will indeed be competitive next season. “They are ready to work and I know the 8th graders moving up have been working so hard. I’m so proud of this team and I can’t wait to grow. Between the JV team and the varsity team, they’re a great group. To watch this team make history, I couldn’t be more proud. This season sets the tone for the years to come and making tournament is going to become a norm for Melrose Field Hockey.”
