Melrose (11-2-1) could be best girls hockey team to date

Published in the February 2, 2018 edition

By JENNIFER GENTILE

MELROSE—The Melrose High girls’ hockey team have punched their ticket into the Div. 1 North playoffs after two straight wins, including a convincing 2-0 victory over Reading on Saturday, January 27 at Flynn Rink in Medford. This was a first win over Reading in the history of the program and the earliest Melrose has earned entry into a post season, their 4th playoff bid in 5 years.

On Tuesday, Melrose piggy-backed that win with a 3-2 victory over Winchester, their 11th win of the season. Details at press time were limited. 

THE MELROSE Lady Raider hockey team punched their ticket to a post season when they earned their 10th win of the season over Reading last week. (Donna Larsson photo)

Melrose – leaders of the Freedom League – currently holds their best record to date at 11-2-1 (10-1 league) in the five years as a MHS team. Now the Lady Raiders are poised to break their previous best record of 12-8 in 2016. Reason to celebrate? Definitely. 

“We have had a lot of ‘firsts’ this season and I’m very proud of the progress that the girls have made,” said Melrose head coach Sam Tetreau, now in her fifth year as MHS’s first girl’s hockey coach. “Against Reading, I think everyone on the team played phenomenal. Right from the beginning the girls played with high intensity.”

In the opening minutes of the game, senior captain Saoirse Connolly scored on an assist by senior captain Sam Kroon to give Melrose a 1-0 edge.

Meanwhile, Melrose goalie Courtney O’Connor held tight at the net. “After the first period, we knew that Reading would come out hard in the second so we made sure not to give up a goal,” says Tetreau. “Courtney played an amazing game in net. She made some big saves for us and was very active in helping our D break it out of our D-zone.” 

Melrose’s second goal was scored ten seconds into the second period when Sam Kroon found the net on an assist by senior capt. Jill Mercer and 8th grader Emily Crovo.

It was this collective team effort that Tetreau expressed pride in, particularly from her senior captains. “Our four captains play a big role in our success. Not only are they skilled on the ice but their experience and intensity push our team to new level.”

She also credited Maggie O’Donnell for some intense play. “She remained in great position in our D-zone and offensively she crashed the Reading net after every shot. It’s nerve-racking as a goalie to know that a team will play the puck to the whistle.”

Melrose senior Emma Sikora worked the puck well down low in the offensive zone and also put a lot of pressure on their goalie. Teammate Mairead Clark and Emma Lynch-Gavin forechecked hard and caused Reading to frequently give up the puck. And Melrose center Linnea Kelley remains a big presence on the ice. “Linnea’s long reach and physical play shut down any offensive attack Reading had,” says Tetreau.

Meanwhile, Marie Maher and Emily Crovo also shined. “Marie rose up to the challenge and her smart play definitely helped us to win the game,” says the coach. “And Emily consistently puts points up on the board and starts each shift off right by winning the face-off the majority of the time.”

On Thursday, Melrose traveled to Woburn to host the Winchester Sachems and earned a 3-2 victory thanks to scores from Linnea Kelley (2 goals, 1 assist) and Maggie O’Donnell. 

Having earned their eleventh win (and an early entry into post season) the Lady Raiders are now thinking of a deep tourney run in a brutally tough Div. 1 field. Says Tetreau, “The team has really come together and pushed themselves to be better every game,” says the coach. “At the beginning of the season, the team’s goal was to make the tournament. Now they want to earn the best record that Melrose Girls Hockey has ever had.”

At this rate, looks like it might be mission accomplished.