THE MELROSE High boy’s lacrosse team saw their season end after advancing past Whittier Tech when they fell to Marblehead on Monday evening. (Dan Murphy photo murphymedigroup.org)
Published June 7, 2024
Whittier Tech was no match for Melrose in a 14-4 victory
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MARSHFIELD—Playoffs move quick in spring sports and the Melrose High boy’s lacrosse team only had a few quick, post-graduation days to enjoy an opening round Div. 2 playoff win on Saturday before advancing to the Div. 2 round of 32 play facing a historically tough Marshfield team on Monday evening on the road that resulted in a 15-3 Melrose loss and end of their season.
This came off this convincing 14-4 win over No. 36 Whittier Tech (13-5) at home at Fred Green field on Saturday in a back-to-back double header with the MHS girls’ lacrosse team. Melrose got a quality bracket seed and were given a home game on Saturday against Whittier Tech, much to the pleasure of fans and players alike.
It was a convincing win for Melrose who outplayed Whittier Tech much of the game, led by the fantastic work of Melrose junior Nick Hitchman, who led with a massive 7 goals. He proved to be a tough tag team with senior capt. Colin Fahey, who set him up for many of them.
“Nick was unstoppable,” said Melrose head coach Matt James of Hitchman’s game. “He played great defensively as well. A big piece of his success was how well Colin Fahey played. He assisted 4-5 of Nick’s goals. They played great off each other all game.”
After the game, coach James tipped his cap to Whittier Tech. “They were good. Very well coached.”
Those scoring for Melrose besides Hitchman include late goals from Max Kleinbub, Quinn Haggerty and Finn Alpers.
Senior captain goalie Michael Fuccione took helm at the net for a great start and teammate Noah Fay cleaned it up at the end. “Fay has been great as a back and we wanted to get him in another game. He’s going to be great for us next year.”
Melrose defense shined especially in the fourth, when Melrose nearly keept Whittier Tech scoreless in its entirety while Fay made some quality saves at the net and attackers Max Kleinbub, Quinn Haggerty and Hitchman worked their magic on offense. Coach James gave a special shutout to one senior defenseman on Saturday. “Declan Baker had his best game. He was outstanding communicating and clearing the ball as well.”
Marshfield ends Melrose’s season in Round of 32 Play
Just two days later, Melrose was poised to face No. 4 Marshfield High, a team rather unfamiliar to Melrose but with a great lacrosse pedigree. It was understandably an uphill battle and Marshfield took the win, 15-3 to advance to Sweet 16 play against Bridgewater Raynham this week.
“This is the first time we’ve played them and they were so good,” said coach James. Scoring was mostly provided by Finn Alpers who was assisted by Fahey in one goal. Melrose offense did struggle against Ram defense, though standout Max Kleinbub kept the threat going. Notes his coach, “I thought we [and Max] were starting to figure it out in the second half, but by then we were out of gas.”
It was a solid effort for senior goalie Michael Fuccione at the net with 19 saves. It was his high school swan song, and after 4 starting seasons, coach James will find it hard to not see him out there each season. “Michael has been an outstanding goalie for us the last three years. I cannot believe he’s done,” he said. “He’s been on my radar since elementary school, and he’s really worked hard to grow and compete. He’s an all-timer in a program that has a history of having very good goalies.”
As 2024 disappears in the rearview mirror, coach James reflects on the team’s effort over the season and some athletes who made a difference. “Jack Wright is another one who really worked his way into being a strong face off midfielder,” he says. “His senior year was probably the most effective face off kid we’ve ever had. Jack is a real glue guy, and we are going to miss him a ton.”
“Colin Fahey is a two-time captain and all-around great human. He had the goal to revamp our team and rebuild our culture and he exceeded those expectations.”
Offensively, enough can’t be said of Max Kleinbub, an offensive weapon Melrose for the last two seasons. Kleinbub has led in scoring and been a true game maker. “Max was our leading scorer the last two years. He’s another great leader and player. I remember seeing him at camp when he was in 8th grade and thinking we might have something, and we definitely did.”
Amid a season of surprises, defense was a work in progress to start, but senior Declan Baker rose to the occasion according to the coach. “Declan was our only defensive senior. He really grew this year and worked his way into being a solid defender. He was a selfless player and had his best two games during our playoff run. I’m really proud of him.”
He also tips his cap to a newer senior who made the most of the season. “Liam Gavin just joined us this year and my only regret with him is that he didn’t join us sooner. He learned quickly and is a really great athlete. It was great to get to know him.”
While this season had a share of highs and lows, with intense level of competition that helped them stay playoff ready, next year coach James and this team wants to switch it into high gear.
“Next year we win the league,” says James. “We’ve got a great goalie, some experienced younger players who have gotten better all year. I love our projected defense for next season. The growth this year exceeded our expectations.”
