Melrose improves to 11-6 as they await playoffs
Published in the May 26, 2017 edition
THE MELROSE Red Raider lacrosse team sit 11-6 as they await their appearance in the Div. 2 playoffs. Pictured is Andrew Calvert. (Donna Larsson photo)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—It wasn’t pretty, but it was a win for the Melrose Red Raider lacrosse team, who took a much-needed victory over the Burlington Red Devils, 13-11, on Monday, May 22 at home at Fred Green Field. Senior Mike Calvert had 5 goals and 2 assists as Melrose improved to 11-6 with one game left on the regular schedule and playoff brackets expected to be released Friday.
“I’m happy with the win, but it was a frustrating game,” said Melrose head coach Matt James. “We played poorly in the first half, but were able to make some defensive adjustments in the second half and it sort of lit a fire with them. I credit Burlington though, they’re a good team who moves the ball well and they were able to take advantage of calls in their favor.”
Those calls were coming fast and furiously against Melrose in the first half, handing possession over to the Red Devils who matched Melrose goal-for-goal in the opening minutes of play. At first draw, it was all Burlington, who controlled the ball and took a 2-0 lead with 5:00 left in the first. Melrose came out in the second quarter fired up, with an offense that was determined to reverse course. Andy Calvert fed a ball to Corbin White, whose goal in the opening seconds of the quarter made it a 2-1 game. Melrose goalie Matt Rocha made several impressive saves at the net, including two in a row at the 7:45 mark. Melrose’s Jack Wells found Mike Calvert, who scored his first of five goals at the 6:00 mark to tie things up, 2-2. Melrose took their first lead of the game shortly after with an unassisted goal by Gabe Nyland. The two teams exchanged goals, with Melrose’s Chris Cusolito tying things up at 4-4. Melrose and Burlington went into halftime deadlocked at 4-4.
Melrose returned to the second half determined to take the game away from Burlington, and they earned a 5-4 lead thanks to a Corbin White goal (Mike Pedrini assist) and soon Jack Wells made it a 6-4 game with a goal on an assist by Mike Calvert. Calvert gave Melrose a 7-4 lead at 7:26 in the 3rd on an assist by Wells.
Meanwhile, Rocha minimized damage at the net. “Matt is proving to be one of the best goalies in the league, and he did the job for us,” says his coach. “We played better in our second half thankfully. Burlington is a well sized team and we moved around match ups which helped.”
Melrose relied on more goals from Mike Pedrini, Andy Calvert, Corbin White and Mike Calvert to help reach the final 13-11 victory. James acknowledges that Melrose’s intensity against the Red Devils didn’t match their performance against Wakefield (when they lost in an OT thriller).
“They rose to the occasion against Wakefield,” he says. “And we want another crack at them. We’d love to see them in the playoffs.”
Those brackets are slated to be released Friday. In years past, where Melrose landed on the bracket has often determined how far they go in the first round of playoffs. But records can be deceiving. Melrose, at 11-6, could easily be 14-3, since three of their losses were determined by one-goal results. In other words, don’t overlook them in the Div. 2 North.
