League champ Melrose bows out in playoff opener
Published in the June 8, 2018 edition
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—It wasn’t the seeding they hoped for, but the Melrose Lady Raider lacrosse team put up a valiant effort against #2 seed Marblehead, who knocked Melrose out of the Div. 1 North field in the opening round of playoffs held on Tuesday, June 5 at Marblehead High. A shorthanded Melrose fell, 19-5, to a very talented Magician squad and end their season at 11-6, but leave with the distinction of being the first MHS girls’ lacrosse team to ever earn a league title.
“Marblehead is just an excellent team with lots of talent and great coaching,” says first-year coach Matt Galusi, who notes the team’s athleticism and tall build. “I’m not sure one girl was under 5’10, so hats off to them. But I’m proud of all that my team has achieved this year. Getting that banner up on the wall is something we will always take pride in.”
Marblehead (15-4) was led in scoring by Hadley Carlton and Niamh Healey (six goals apiece) along with Grace Arthur (3 goals) and they boasted a very strong goalie in Maeve Caldwell. But Melrose put up a spirited fight, despite being short-handed four players, including their two leading scorers (Lily Cunningham and Emma Randolph) which put Melrose in an obvious disadvantage. Not taking away Marblehead’s excellent play, Galusi acknowledged the uphill battle Melrose fought. “If we were fully manned it definitely would have been a closer game. It wasn’t the best time for our strongest players to be out. But I’m so proud of how these girls on the team pulled together and fought.” He points to the strong play of his seniors Rachel DiFraia, Jill Mercer and Lauren Pedrini. “All of them have been incredible leaders for us, and to see what Lauren Pedrini did today was something special.”
THE MELROSE girls’ lacrosse team’s season ended in the opening round of the Div. 1 North playoffs in a loss to Marblehead. (Donna Larsson photo)
Pedrini scored twice in the game for Melrose and showed a command of the field that the team really needed. Pedrini, recently named Academic All American in the sport, has left a lasting impression on her coach. “My only regret is that I only got to coach Lauren one year. No one works harder than this girl.”
Junior Abby Cunningham also wowed for Melrose. Her two goals helped keep Melrose in the game and her work in faceoffs was relentless. “Thank God that Abby is a junior,” quips Galusi. “She’s like a silent assassin on the field and doesn’t take no for an answer. She had some incredible work on the field today.”
That despite Cunningham’s dangerous check to the face by Marblehead’s Grace Arthur in the third that knocked Cunningham off her feet. Arthur was handed a yellow card and the spunky Cunningham was back on the field looking for ground balls and scoring opportunities. “She’s as tough as they come,” says the coach.
Linnea Kelley made several outstanding saves at the net, including two back-to-back ones in the opening minutes of play that helped Melrose take a 1-0 lead thanks to an impressive goal by Sam Zysk. “Linnea did some incredible things at the net today,” says her coach. “I couldn’t believe some of the saves she was making. I also was really impressed with the play of Sam Zysk and Maggie O’Donnell.”
Melrose had plenty of scoring opportunities in the first half, with several penalty shots awarded, but still faced a 3-1 deficit. Melrose called a much needed time out twelve minutes into the game to reboot while down 6-1, and then saw some excellent, speedy work by Katie Wright in transition and quality feeds to players like Jenna Carrieri, and while Marblehead took a lead of 8-1, Kelley at the net kept the damage minimal as the Macigians fired off shots in rapid succession.
Melrose got on board again when Pedrini scored unassisted to make the game 8-2 with seven minutes left in the first. Abby Cuningham scored on a penalty shot right before the half closed with Melrose down 11-3. Jessica Glynn showed great play in the midfield for Melrose and Sam Zysk scored again to keep Melrose in the game 14-4 with plenty of time (17 minutes) to go.
Pedrini hit the last shot of her high school career at the 10-minute mark, while Marie Maher assumed duties in the net and Mairead Clark held the fort on defense. Despite the 19-5 score at the buzzer, the Lady Raiders are keeping their heads high.
Having stepped into their first Div. 1 playoffs, being able to maintain competitive play against one of the best teams in the state is plenty to be proud of. Still, their placement in Div. 1 was both unexpected and arguably premature this year. With the MIAA only having two divisions, Melrose (based on female enrollment) is considered a team on par with larger populated schools and longer established programs. Thus, Melrose’s 11-5 regular season was not rewarded with a top #5 seeding like most sports, but a 15th place seed after power rankings pitted them against a Goliath. If Melrose is “David,” they will have to get used to the role for the next few seasons. The MIAA has them locked in Div. 1 for two more years until it’s time for reevaluation.
Still, Melrose has accomplished some remarkable feats this year: a first-ever league title, the matching of their best season record, multiple all-stars and earning All American Academic honors for their senior captain, Pedrini. Not bad for first-year coach, Galusi.
“They’re a remarkable group of girls, such a pleasure to coach and I will miss those who leave us. We had a great year and can walk off that field proud,” says Galusi. “We got that banner on the wall and have so much talent coming back.”
That includes their goalies Kelley and Maher and top scorers, Lily and Abby Cunningham and Emma Randolph.
“We want to go one step further in 2019,” says Galusi. “It’s time to knock off some Liberty teams in the regular season. I hope these girls will continue to play together in the offseason to improve. But overall it’s a great time for the program.”
