Published February 12, 2021
aims for wins over Wilmington to close season
By JENNIFER GENTILE
STONEHAM—The Melrose-Stoneham girls co-op hockey team (“Stone-rose”) fell to rival Wakefield in a series of two games played on Feb. 4 and Feb. 7 at Stoneham Arena, each by scores of 6-1. Stonerose has two more games this season, both against Wilmington, in order to earn some needed wins. Melrose closes their season out on February 15 with a road game at Ristuccia Arena in Wilmington and, prior to that, will host their home finale this Saturday. Feb. 13 at Stoneham Arena at 5:00 p.m.
According to Melrose assistant coach Frank Sorrenti, Melrose did a better job in game 2 against a tougher-than-advertised Wakefield Warrior team. “I’d say in game 1 we just really weren’t ready. Wakefield was a strong team and they came at us fast. Unfortunately, while we tend to generate a lot of puck movement and maintained good possession, we’re just not taking the shots we need to.”
Wakefield got off to a very quick start, making it a 3-0 game behind 2 goals from Kayli Porter (Charlotte Rossicone assist) and Olivia Johnson. At 9:37 in the first half, Wakefield’s Fiona Racine made it a 4-0 game and her sister Maeve Racine scored at 8:04 to make it a 5-0 game. Stonerose would prevent the shutout when senior captain Stoneham’s Kaitlin Orro scored on a breakaway with a solo shot that put Stonerose on the board, 5-1. They would take that score into halftime. But in the second half Wakefield’s Kayli Porter would score a hat trick to take Stonerose out of the game for a final score of 6-1.
They competed more competitively two days later when they re-matched the Warriors at Stoneham Arena. Stonerose showed more aggression on the ice and maintained puck possession coming out the gate. Melrose’s Hannah Connolly was able to attempt a shot on net that just went a little wide. Wakefield put three goals on the board early. Ultimately it was Stonerose’s Kaylee Cronin who scored Stonerose’s only goal at 13:10 in the second to avoid the shutout. Wakefield would go on to score three more times in the second half for a final score of 6-1. In this game, however, the final score wasn’t necessarily a reflection of their actual effort.
“I like our defense,” says Sorrenti. “It’s definitely the stronger aspect of our game. I think we held our own during the first half but it slipped away from us in the end. I think we’re not taking the shots we need. That being said, Wakefield’s goalie is strong. Still, I joked to the girls, ‘we never got a look at her.’ So I think we have inconsistency in our games that we need to work on.”
He still credits his seniors—Francesca Maiuri, Hannah Connolly, Sydney Kroon and Emily Waden—for their excellent effort over a challenging season. Both Connolly and captain Sydney Kroon have been with him since the start and on the team back in their 8th and 9th grade years when winning was the calling card for league champion Melrose. The transition hasn’t been easy and that’s something the coach is cognizant of. This group will be hard to replace. “I wish I had one more year with them. Sydney, our captain, is just a 100% effort player. She’s like a great motor, never stops. It’s all a coach wants in a player. Emily is a great kid and her attitude is terrific. She has made such strides and has gotten more ice time and has succeeded in it. Hannah is a picture of strength on defense. She’s a great passer, smart and cleans up for us in front of the net. She has always had an edge to her game.”
Francesca Maiuri meanwhile, remains his most unique player. “She’s our figure skater, coming into the sport only two years ago. She’s made great strides. She stepped in as goalie in our Belmont game, completely new to it and will always have my respect for it. It wasn’t an easy thing to do.”
There is still season left and opportunity for Stonerose to pick up another win this season. They will face the Wilmington Wildcats in a series of two games, one home and one away. “We’re optimistic for a win,” says the coach.
