Published January 17, 2020

By JENNIFER GENTILE

STONEHAM—The Melrose/Stoneham cooperative girl’s hockey team (“Stonerose”) continues their rebuilding season during their first year as a co-op team and, at press time, are still searching to get into the win column after eight games. 

It hasn’t been an easy season, but Melrose co-coach Frank Sorrenti can’t help but credit the girls’ effort. He has been immensely proud of his Melrose players, in particular his seniors. That includes starters Marie Maher, Emma Lynch Galvin and Sydney Kroon. He says, “They set good examples and bring a maturity to the ice that we have relied on all season. We can’t ask for more than their 100% effort.”

Stonerose came into the season in dire need of a goalie, and that role was generously offered by Stoneham’s Grace O’Connell, brand new to hockey. “Grace is a volleyball player and the most coachable kid in the world. The team is really rallying around her. This is her first crack at it and she’s working so hard,” says Sorrenti.

THE MELROSE/Stoneham girl’s co-op hockey team fell to Archbishop Williams on Monday. (Jeff Maté photo)

It’s been a frustrating season on one hand for Stonerose, who saw Melrose senior Marie Maher suffer a potentially season-ending injury on Monday in the Spartan’s 6-3 loss to Archbishop Williams. “Losing Marie will hurt us,” says her coach. “She’s a player who always settled us down on defense. That’s hard to replace.” 

But there have been moments of pride for the team, too. One solid contributor has been senior Emma Lynch Galvin, a strong returning Melrose player who found the net in the Archbishop Williams game. Says Sorrenti, “Emma is doing what she did last year, which is taking control of the ice and, as center now, has become one of our most reliable players.”

Sydney Kroon, meanwhile, he labels the Tasmanian devil. “Her energy is boundless.” 

And while Melrose is not likely going to be seeing a post season, Sorrenti tips his hat to his squad’s work on the ice. “The effort is never a question and it’s not necessarily reflected in the scores,” says the coach. “We have a tough schedule coming up but also some games that I think we can be really competitive in. We’re not throwing in the towel and there is no quit in us.” 

Upcoming games

1/15 v. Wakefield (home), 6

1/18 v, Winchester (home), 6

1/22 @ Arch. Williams (away), 5

1/25 @ Reading, (away) 7:45