After press time:
Melrose defeats Wakefield 3-1 (Sept. 13)
Published September 13, 2024
Returning players & new coach mark fall campaign
ALEX ZAINO, AVA Viola, Sophia Sullivan and Elena Fuentes (left to right) will serve as captains for the 2024 MHS field hockey team. (courtesy photo)
MELROSE—The Melrose High field hockey team kicked off their season on Sept. 4 at a sun-filled Pine Banks Park when they hosted a tough Belmont Marauder team and fell to their rivals, 10-2. This season, they have a new coach to guide them in what they hope will be a competitive 2024 fall campaign.
Olivia Cameron will now lead the Melrose High field hockey program as varsity coach. The Wakefield product, and former youth coach, is a Melrose educator who played for Wakefield High and continued playing collegiately at Stonehill College. She’s already proud and excited to lead a team that she contends exudes positivity.
“Our returning players, especially our seniors, have stepped up so well since I arrived,” says Cameron. “They’re enthusiastic and eager to improve every day. Our team selected some senior great captains, too.”
Leading Melrose as captains are four strong senior players, Alex Zaino, Ava Viola, Sophia Sullivan and Elena Fuentes.
“They’ve been excellent and made this a welcoming and fun environment,” says the coach. “They’ve really stepped up as leaders.”
Melrose has several returning players who are sure to keep up with an always-tough Middlesex League. Some of those include players like Grace Jenkins, Ruby Sterling, Elsie English, Emi Judge, Anna Sullivan, Mary Atkinson, Lindsay Minton and Zoe Bloomenthal. Expect contributions from players such as Saoirse Uzgiris, Sophia Hulbert, Brynn Baker, Sophie Brown and Callie Bolduc.
Defense should be a collective effort headed by goalie Elena Fuentes along with players such as Ava Viola, Lindsay Minton, Soairse Uzgiris. “Our mid and defense and a working unit. Every day gives each player a chance to step into a key role,” says the coach.
Their offense should see work from Mary Atkinson, Sophia Holbert and strong midfielders Anna Sullivan and Sophia Sullivan, a sister act who found the net against Melrose’s debut against Belmont. They scored Melrose’s only goals. “Anna and Sophia are strong midfielders and really effective for us,” says their coach.
“Overall, we have a great mix of players from experienced seniors and returning starters and a great group of sophomores,” she continues.
Coach Cameron is grateful for the welcome she has received from a generous Melrose field hockey community. “It’s made the transition so easy,” she says. “We also have great field hockey parents whom I have immense respect for.”
Melrose’s schedule will be as tough as ever, with two contests against the Godzilla of field hockey teams, Watertown, plus some other tough Middlesex League teams. But they have the know-how and enthusiasm to give teams a run for their money.
After hosting Winchester at home on Wednesday (post deadline) Melrose will travel to Wakefield on Friday for a 4:15 game against the Warriors in what should be a very competitive contest.
