Melrose earns first victory with 4-0 shutout

Published in the September 28, 2018 edition

By JENNIFER GENTILE

MELROSE—The Melrose Lady Raider soccer team picked up their first win of the season with a convincing 4-0 win over Watertown on September 20. 

Goalie Jill Stone earned the shutout at the net, while attacker Serena DeBari scored twice for the Lady Raiders.  

Melrose took an early lead of 1-0 nine minutes into the game when Sam Smith found Katie Wright in front of the net and Wright scored. Nine minutes before halftime, Serena DeBari scored her first of two goals unassisted, and Melrose took a lead of 4-0.  

MELROSE DEFENSE has shined in recent efforts, helping Melrose girl’s soccer pick up a recent win over Watertown. (Donna Larsson photo)

After the half, Melrose defense held the fort, which allowed Ciara Smith (with an assist by Grace Donahue) to score 8 minutes into the half. Fourteen minutes later, Lauren Carlino found Serena DeBari who scored her second goal to make it a 4-0 game. 

According to head coach Rob Mahoney, Melrose’s defense proved the game changer. “Jill [Stone] did well to organize our defense and be a vocal leader, and only had to make a couple of saves. The defenders in front of her played well all night to limit Watertown offensively.” That includes Abby Cunningham, Lily Cunningham, Ava Palumbo, Julia Deeble, and Jenna Champagne. “Everyone who went in at the back played well,” confirms the coach. 

It has taken a handful of games to get to the winning column. Mahoney talked about strategies that have been used in practice. 

“Players have been giving 100% in all of our training sessions and have bought into our system of play. We’ve focused on taking responsibility on the field to make something happen, including putting the ball in the back of the net. That was on display against Watertown, who we had 20 shots against.”

Other things Mahoney likes is the team’s spirit and will. “They work extremely hard individually and collectively; the players have also developed a tactical awareness which allows us to be strong at the back and dynamic in attack. In order to secure more wins, we need to continue to focus for the full 80 minutes on both sides of the ball, and keep putting the ball in the back of the net.”

“Every game is important; that being said, the next game is always the most important one. We need to take what we did well against Watertown and try to replicate it in future games.” 

That includes Burlington, whom they travel to on Thursday (post deadline) in a key league match up.