League champs looking for another playoff run
Published March 29, 2019
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The Melrose High girl’s lacrosse team is springing into action, ready to kick off their 2019 season with a home opener scheduled on Tuesday, April 9 at home against Lexington.
Melrose returns one year after clinching their first ever Middlesex League title and a matching a program best record of 11-5. They will battle once again in a very competitive league and loaded Div. 1 field. According to second-year coach Matt Galusi, as a division 1 team, Melrose is embracing the degree of difficulty.
“Nothing worth having comes easy, and we will have to earn everything we get this season,” he says. “The Middlesex league is one of the best leagues in the state in girls’ lacrosse.” He points to teams such as Lexington, Winchester, Woburn and Reading as favorites they need to defeat in order to take their game (and season) to another level. “The Freedom teams will be tough too,” he says. “We have our work cut out for us but are ready for the challenge. Our team saying this season is #MakeThemBelieve. We are ready to make a lot of people take notice.”
THE LEAGUE champion MHS girl’s lacrosse team returns to action next week. (file photo)
This year they have a balanced roster of 7 seniors, 5 juniors, and 10 sophomores. Melrose can count on three goalies at the net. Senior captain Linnea Kelley will assume the role with junior Marie Maher and sophomore Paige Rocha ready to challenge the spot. The team will be led by senior captains Lily Cunningham, Abby Cunningham and Linnea Kelley and returning seniors Sam Zysk, Maggie O’Donnell, Jenna Carrieri and Courtney O’Connor.
“Our biggest strength is our leadership,” says the coach. “My upperclassmen are great leaders and they function like coaches on the field. We’re a very well rounded team, athletic and will be in great shape.”
Much of their offense will count on the efforts of the wonder twins, Abby Cunningham and Lily Cunningham. “Obviously the Cunningham twins will drive the bus and lead us offensively, especially since junior Emma Randolph is still recovering from knee surgery and will be limited to start the season,” says the coach. “I have personally challenged Sam Zysk, Jess Glynn and Jenna Thorpe to step up and contribute significantly to the offense. Their reactions were basically the same ‘I’m ready, bring it on!’ That made me really happy, as all 3 can be serious offensive threats. Our sophomore attackers are ready to earn their spot in the sun and I can’t wait to see how they pan out. When we are firing in all cylinders we can come at you in a variety of ways offensively.”
On defense, look for Meghan Fogarty to anchor the back end. Maggie O’Donnell, known for her defense, may see time on both ends of the field. Jenna Carrieri will hold down the fort on defense, along with junior Katie Wright and sophomores Lizzie Casey and Chloe Halligan.
Says the coach, “Our biggest goal is to play our best every time we take the field and represent the city of Melrose. If we lose, we want to be able to walk off the field knowing that we gave 100% and the other team was just better. We do not want to beat ourselves or give games away. We did that a few times last season with brutally slow starts that put us in insurmountable holes. We will clean that up in 2019.”
But with such a talented roster, Melrose should have all the ingredients to put together a winning campaign. Expect them to fight for another ML Freedom title.
“I am confident we will be very competitive and hopefully put more years on that banner in the gym,” says the coach. “Our team is primarily composed of homegrown talent who came up through the Melrose youth lacrosse league. It’s encouraging to know that the next Abby/Lily/Linney etc could be sitting in the stands and rooting her heart out for us.”
Upcoming Schedule
Fri 4/5/19 @ Swampscott 4
Tue 4/9/19 vs. Lexington, 4
Thu 4/11/19 @ Arlington 4:15
