BACK IN Red. It’s been a long time since MHS girls hockey wore a Red Raider uniform (see pic from 2019) but they will this season as they’re no longer a co-op team with Stoneham. (file photo)
MHS girls hockey is back as a solo act
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—After a two-year trial run as “Stonerose,” the Melrose High varsity girls hockey team will proudly wear the red and white once more as they return to represent Melrose as Red Raiders and a solo-operating team who starts their campaign on Saturday at their home base at Flynn Rink in Melrose. They will take on Belmont at 7:10 p.m.
It’s been a challenging two years in the Stonerose uniform and a fall cry from their league-winning season in 2018-19 when they compiled a 14-4 record. But some of those players return and will be counted on to lead Melrose. There was a bit of an exodus from underclassmen over two years ago that led to Melrose struggling to find their footing, but this team has the nuts and bolts to keep this program going in the years ahead.
According to Melrose coach Frank Sorrenti, Melrose is very young, but eager, and will come together to be competitive this 2021-22 season. They also have solid numbers with 17 athletes suiting up. Upperclassmen include veteran senior Itia Figueira, along with seniors Bridget Price and Caitlin Price. Other experienced players returning are Lucy Clark and Maddie Tobin.
With new faces comes new opportunity and that’s brimming from this team this season. Melrose opened up to 8th and 7th graders (a practice common in high school hockey) and that brings new faces with the potential to be on the team for over 4 years. Rounding out the roster are sophomore Sammy Lyons and freshmen Ella Bonacorsi and Charlotte Demers. New eighth graders include Teagan Altman, Ella Daniels, Ruby Hansen, Julia McNeely, Addison Savidge and Jessica Zulon. Seventh graders include Keira Twomey and Anna Matthews.
“These girls are chomping at the bit to get on the ice,” says coach Sorrenti. “And even though we’re young, these girls are not intimated based on the scrimmages we’ve taken part in.”
Melrose will be sending Ruby Hansen to the net to serve as goalie. “She’s a terrific kid, small but tough with lot of enthusiasm. We’re glad to have her,” says Sorrenti.
Forwards will include Itia Figueira, Lucy Clarke and Maddie Tobin and they should appear on the first line, though at press time, lineups were still being drafted. Look for players like Ella Daniels, Julie McNeely and Jessica Zulon to also get some minutes on the ice. Additional fowards includ Ella Bonacorsi, Charlotte Demers and Anna Scalfani. On defense look for faces such as Addison Savage, Kira Twomey, Teagan Altman, Anna Matthews to join returning starters Caitlin Price and Bridget Price on defense.
It’s going to be a long season, thus this team will have plenty of time to find that perfect chemistry and grow into their own. They will play 14 games and two non-league games. Their first game was this past Wednesday against a strong Woburn team. But this Saturday evening they will host Belmont at 7:10 at Flynn Rink in Medford. Come root the team on as they return home sweet home.
Says the coach, “We’re going to get this team up to speed so we’ll be ready to pick up some wins in 2022.”
