Published October 4, 2024
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
MELROSE—On Sept. 25, the Melrose high girls varsity soccer team shutout Watertown, 3-0, at Fred Green Field to improve to 4-1 in the Middlesex League Freedom division.
Melrose scored twice in the first half. In the ninth minute, Emma Drago scored on a rebound. Twelve minutes later Abby Taylor converted a free kick from 40-yard out to make it 2-0.The final goal was scored by Lauren Healy in a scrum in front of the net.
“We played really well that night,” said Melrose head coach Rob Mahoney. Goalkeeper Lilah Croach recorded her second shutout of the year for Melrose with two saves.
A few days later Melrose was shutout by visiting Arlington, 2-0, on Sept. 30 at Fred Green Field. With that result, Melrose’s record is 5-6 overall and 5-5 in the Middlesex League.
“The have a good team and I was proud of our performance,” said Melrose head coach Rob Mahoney, despite the result.
After a scoreless opening 40 minutes, the Spy Ponders scored eight minutes into the second half off a rebound.
Then, with Melrose moving players up late in the game, the visitors struck again on a counter attack, scoring with just over two minutes remaining.
Mahoney was happy with the play of senior captain, Paige Crovo, and senior defenseman, Alex Leeman. Melrose goalkeeper Lilah Croach made seven saves, as her record is 3-3 in net.
It was the second game in a row that Melrose was shutout as they lost at Lexington, 2-0, on Sept. 27.
“We came out flat and that first goal took the wind out of our sails,” said Mahoney. “Lexington also does a great job of possessing the ball.”
Lexington scored with five minutes remaining in the opening half on a penalty kick. The Minutemen then scored their second goal with 25 minutes remaining in the game.
Croach made five saves.
On Oct. 7, Melrose visits Woburn at 4:15 pm. They then host Wakefield two days later at Pine Banks. That game will also start at 4:15 pm.
