THE MELROSE High girls varsity soccer team passed their first test against Dartmouth on Sunday with a 2-1 opening round playoff win. (photo by Raj Das edphotos.com)
After press time:
Melrose falls to Masconomet 3-0 (Nov. 6)
Published November 8, 2024
Win over Dartmouth sends Melrose to Masconomet
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
MELROSE—By now, playoff runs are no stranger to the Melrose High girl’s varsity soccer team. Last year’s league champions picked up where they left off this season after last year’s long playoff run by qualifying for the Div. 2 playoffs last week and drawing the No. 32 spot which resulted in them hosting No. 33 seed Dartmouth in the preliminary round of the MIAA Division 2 state tournament at Fred Green Field on Sunday evening.
The result was an impressive 2-1 win that advances them to Round of 32 play, facing No. 1 seed Masconomet (17-0-1) on Wednesday, Nov. 6 (post deadline)
With the win over Dartmouth, Melrose improves to 9-8-2. Meanwhile, Dartmouth ended the year at 10-8-1.
Melrose senior Cadence L’Heureux was the star of this one scoring both Melrose goals. “She had good instincts and was on her toes,” said Melrose head coach Rob Mahoney.
CADENCE L’HEUREUX scored both goals for Melrose in its opening playoff win over Dartmouth to help Melrose advance in playoffs. (photo by Raj Das edphotos.com)
The Indians scored the first goal of the night as Haley Zexter scored with 6:53 remaining in the first half.
Melrose tied it with 2:34 left in the first half as Sophie McElligott’s shot hit the crossbar and L’Heureux headed the rebound home.
L’Heureux scored the game-winning tally in the sixth minute of the second half assisted by Lauren Healy.
Melrose goalkeeper, Lilah Croach, made three saves.
“I was very proud of the way the girls came back,” said Mahoney. “This is the last time they got to play at home this year and they took advantage of it.”
Melrose played at top-seeded Masconomet on Nov. 6th in the Round of 32 game (results not available as of press time). If Melrose pulls off the massive upset, they would take on host Westfield in the Round of 16 game (date and time unknown).
Stay tuned.
