5-0 Melrose hasn’t given up a goal this season

THE MHS girls’ soccer team is off to a perfect 5-0 start to the season following back-to-back wins over Wakefield and Marblehead. (photo by Raj Das edphotos.com)

 

 

Update post publication:
Melrose defeats Burlington 3-2 (Sept. 27)
Melrose defeats Wilmington 3-1 (Sept. 29)

 


BY STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

 MARBLEHAD—The good times continue to roll for the unbeaten Melrose High girl’s varsity soccer team.

In their first non-league game of the season on Sept. 23, the Melrose High girls’ soccer team edged host Marblehead, 1-0, on the road at Piper Field, to improve to 5-0 this season. This represents their finest start in several years, and is a big signal of things to come as they continue to not give up a goal this season. 

“It was mostly a midfield battle,” reports Melrose head coach Rob Mahoney, on the win over the Magicians. “I was proud of the way we played, especially in the second half, as we were shorthanded.”

The lone goal of the morning came midway in the first half as Sophia McElligott scored assisted by Ella Callahan.

McElligott has now scored five goals in five games, good enough to earn her Player of the Week honors in this publication. 

Melrose goalie Kate Stratford made four saves and posted her impressive fifth-straight shutout. Defense has been a great asset for coach Mahoney’s squad, and that was also evident on Sept. 21 when they beat the visiting Wakefield Warriors, 2-0, under the lights at Fred Green Memorial Field.

With sixteen minutes remaining in the first half, McElligott scored off a free kick by Emily Lucien. 

The second goal came in the first minute of the second half as Chloe Mahoney found the back of the Warrior net, unassisted. 

“We played a complete game and the girls stayed composed,” said coach Mahoney of the win. 

Stratford turned back five shots in the net. 

Melrose remains unbeaten overall and in the Middlesex League with the wins.

The team looks to continue their winning ways with a handful of key Middlesex Freedom League games coming up in the next week, starting with Burlington on the road on Wednesday (post deadline) followed by two home games, including one against Wilmington at Pine Banks this Friday, September 29.

They will then host Stoneham on Oct. 3. Both games will kickoff at 4:15 pm.