THE MELROSE High boy’s lacrosse team is congratulated by Reading after earning their first win over the Rockets in five years. (courtesy photo)

 


Boys team takes down rival Reading, 8-7

 

By JENNIFER GENTILE

READING—For the first time in almost five years, the Melrose High boy’s lacrosse team has prevailed against their toughest Middlesex League rival. On Thursday, April 14 Melrose picked up a down-to-the-wire victory over Reading on the road in a defensive 8-7 thriller anchored by their new sophomore goalie Michael Fuccione.

Reading (4-1) is often considered the best lacrosse team in the state and Melrose (3-2) has often been on the receiving end of their attacks, so Thursday’s victory was all the more rewarding.

The sophomore Fuccione had a career-game and put the entire Middlesex League on notice with 12 big saves at net, including a few crucial ones with just seconds to go in the game. He was backed up with an outstanding Melrose defensive team, notably senior TJ Sullivan who came up key for Melrose. “Michael saved us,” says Melrose head coach Matt James. “He kept his composure and had a great defense in front of him thanks to TJ Sullivan.”

The duo serve as a mainstay on a rebuilt defense in 2022 and their efforts worked, though Reading played as tough as advertised. Says James, “Reading just has such a dynamic offense and they won almost every ground ball, but we kept our composure.” He credited the relentless offensive work of Brady Pitcher, Steve Fogarty and Shea Fogarty on offense. “Our attackers were never let up. They remained confident and mentally tough out there. We had a well-executed plan and they finished the job.”

Melrose rallied from a 3-0 deficit and took a lead in the second half that they never lost. Reading scored first behind scores from Cullen Granara, Ethan Haggerty and Colby Goodchild. But Melrose’s Steve Fogarty began the Melrose scoring barrage with his first goal for Melrose and that was followed up by a goal from senior Brady Pitcher to make it 3-2. With four seconds left in half, Melrose’s Liam Maher (also with 3 assists) found the net to tie things up at the half.

In the second half, Melrose never lost the lead. But the two teams exchanged goals back and forth, in sets of ties that made it truly anyone’s game. Ryan Maher fed Brady Pitcher an assist and Pitcher made it a 4-3 game for Melrose with 9:53 left in the third. Melrose would take a 5-4 lead after a goal from senior midfielder TJ Sullivan and the teams would remain locked at 5 after a Robbie Granara goal for the Rockets. Melrose’s Shea Fogarty broke that tie with a cool angle shot to put Melrose up 6-5. Of course not for long, as Reading would once again tie things 6-6 a minute later. Melrose’s TJ Sullivan struck again on a turnaround goal on a feed by Maher and Melrose was up once more 7-6. With just over five minutes to go, Shea Fogarty scored his second goal of the game for Melrose’s go-ahead 8-7 score. It would prove to the decisive, winning score.

“We just played the way we planned,” says James. “The guys never let up. Reading threw a lot at us and they responded each time. This was a great win for us, and we want to keep it going.”

Melrose is taking part in an April vacation tournament that will see them on road play against teams such as Acton Boxborough, Duxbury, Needham and BC High, the perfect sampling of the kind of competition they could face in any potential playoff run.

The boys in red and white return home Wednesday, April 27 against Wakefield.