Melrose comes back to beat Wakefield, 5-2
Published November 6, 2020
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—It was as good as it gets for the Melrose High field hockey team, who launched a ferocious comeback win over longtime rival Wakefield at a blustery Pine Banks field on Monday evening. The Red Raiders found themselves down 2-0 early in the game but saw five unanswered goals pave the way for a 5-2 victory. Melrose now enjoys a winning record of 3-2-1 with four more games on the docket.
Melrose sophomore Meghan Maher led in scoring with two goals.
The Red Raiders fell to a quick 2-0 deficit in the opening minutes of the game when Wakefield found the net twice, but Melrose launched an admirable comeback starting with their first goal by Kalina Piasecki with a minute left in the quarter. She found the back of the net to make it 2-1. Two goals from Meghan Maher in the second half gave Melrose a lead of 3-2 which was increased to 4-2 thanks to a goal from Melrose’s Erin Sampson.
Sydney Kroon finished the scoring with a pass from Piasecki on the endline to make it a 5-2 final.
“They came out with the best energy I have felt before a game,” says Melrose head coach Erin Parker. “Not sure if it was the weather, the opponent, the need for revenge, or the fact it wasn’t 9 a.m. on a Saturday. But it was palpable.”
She credited the young Maher for her two goals. “Meghan has been asked to play defense, mid, and forward because we wanted her everywhere – a true utility player. She is certainly finding her goal-scoring mindset, which we love to see.”
For coach Parker, preparation was key to the win. “We played 3 touch small games and scrimmages all week to improve our passing and decision making. We watched video that helped us see what we were doing and what was working and not working.”
Melrose’s collective play made it easier for goalie Brianna Stanton, who kept Wakefield scoreless in the second half. From top to bottom, coach Parker saw things that were working. “I think we showed tremendous improvement with passing and attacking the goalie from different angles, especially attacking from the endline.”
Melrose will look to maintain this momentum as they move on to face Burlington in a series of two meetings starting this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Fred Green Field.
