Undefeated at 5-0, Melrose has league title in mind
Published in the April 22, 2016 edition
THE UNDEFEATED Melrose girls’ lacrosse team is 5-0 on the season after back-to-back wins this week. Melrose is overpowering teams on offense thanks in part to attacker Haley Maté (pictured). (Donna Larsson photo)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE — The Melrose High girls’ lacrosse team remain undefeated after five straight wins, outscoring opponents 30-7 in their last two games, making them a team with a targets on their backs and a potential Div. 2 North favorite. They’ll take it.
Currently ranked #5 in the state by Laxpower.net, Melrose enters a stretch of Freedom league play next week with an eye cautiously on a potential, first ever league title. To get there, they’ll have to defeat Watertown, a historically tough team (13-3 in 2015), who currently ranks lower than Melrose. With that in mind, we asked Melrose coach Cate Arkins of such possibility.
“Wouldn’t we love to get ourselves on a banner,” she says. “It’s definitely one of our goals.” And having a target on their backs is not the worst thing in the world. “It’s fine – it’s a first for us. It teaches the girls not to overestimate or underestimate a team.”
Melrose has outscored opponents 46-13 in three games thanks to victories over Arlington, 12-4, and Arlington Catholic, 18-3. Right now they are performing finer than any MHS girls’ lacrosse team in the history of the program – still less than a decade old.
On Saturday, Melrose played a defensive gem against Arlington Catholic, with newcomer Linnea Kelly having an exceptional game at the net. Arkins points to the defensive efforts of Shannon Jones (4 interceptions), Katie Baraw and Gabby McDonnell as neutralizers against A.C., while Julia Symonds and Michelle Henry have helped staff a fluid defense. “The defensive energy on this team is just contagious,” says Arkins. “They are double-teaming the ball, doing a good job with low attack defense. And the best part is they know when to adjust, if something isn’t working, they realign naturally. The chemistry is the best part of this team right now.”
That along with scoring. Over 8 attackers scored against Arlington Catholic, helping Melrose take a 4-0 lead in the opening minutes of the game and a halftime lead of 12-2. Those scoring included Haley Rodriguez, Haley Mate, Leonora Ivers and Abby Cunningham, who all had three goals, while Katie Baraw and Lily Cunningham had two goals each. Rachel DiFraia and Lucy Coleman chipped in with one. Having outscored opponents about a 1000 to 1 in recent days, finding the net doesn’t seem to be a problem for the Lady Raiders.
For coach Arkins, staying on top of their game right now is important. “Being 5-0 is special, it energizes and boosts their confidence. We know we have our work cut out for us this season but when we play the way we are now, I like our chances against anyone.”
After a well-earned break this week, Melrose will host Wilmington on April 26 at 3:45 at Fred Green Field.
