Weekly Sports Roundup: Sept. 24—Oct. 1

Editor's note: This article was updated at 3:45 p.m. with a corrected girls cross country team record.

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Football

A pair of Matt DeSimone extra point kicks turned out to be the difference for Melrose on Sept. 30, as they handed last year’s Division II Super Bowl runner-up Reading a 14-12 defeat at Woburn’s Connolly Stadium.

After spotting the Rockets six points in the first quarter, the Red Raiders ground game controlled the second, and Melrose scored a pair of touchdowns—and more importantly, converted a pair of extra point attempts—during the frame to seize control of the contest.

Reading responded late, grabbing a rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter, cutting the Red Raiders’ lead to 14-12, but a botched PAT attempt on the Rockets’ first score came back to bite them, as they were forced to try for two in the final frame, and the Melrose defense turned the screw and refused access to the endzone, sealing the win.

Spencer Walsh rushed for the first Melrose score of the game, a 1-yard jaunt, and CJ Hanson collected the second on a 2-yard effort.

Melrose is now 4-0 on the year, and tied with Watertown atop the ML Small standings, although neither team has yet to open league play this fall. The Red Raiders will take on Lexington Oct. 6, as they strive to maintain their perfect start.

Soccer

Girls

The last week, on Sept. 26, but was unable to get a result, thanks to an Ali Kruse tally for the Lady Spartans in the second half. The loss drops the Lady Raiders to 5-3 overall, and 3-3 in Middlesex League Small play. Melrose takes on Winchester on Oct. 4.

Volleyball

The Lady Raiders volleyball squad has blasted out of the starting blocks, yet again, and currently boast a perfect 9-0 record.

Such is the dominance displayed by this Melrose team, that during those eight games, they have dropped just a single match—failing to sweep Reading, yet still winning, 3-1 on Sept. 9.

The first victims to fall to the Lady Raiders this week were Watertown, who Melrose overcame on their own court, 3-0, on Sept. 27. Sydney Doherty posted seven kills, and Jen Cain collected four of her own.

Next, it was a non-league tilt against Arlington Catholic on Oct. 1, and, yet again, it was a 3-0 whitewashing. Sarah McGowan posted 12 kills, while Rachel Johnson had five. The Lady Raiders posted 31 kills during the match, and have now won 23 consecutive games over their last nine matches. Melrose is currently ranked fifth by The Boston Globe.

Field Hockey

The Melrose High field hockey team played twice last week against ML teams, but failed to secure its elusive first win of the year, falling to Stoneham 3-1 on Sept. 27 and then 7-0 against Watertown on Sept. 30. The Lady Raiders are now 0-5-1 on the year.

Golf

The Melrose High golf team played twice last week, but came out on the losing end of both decisions. The Red Raiders fell at Burlington on Sept. 26, 49.5-22.5, and then at Reading on Sept. 28, 49-29.

Cross Country

Boys

The Melrose boys cross country team hasn’t been able to find the winning formula yet this season, and the Sept. 27 outing against Burlington proved to be no different. Melrose fell, 18-38, at the hands of the Red Devils. Sophomore Christian Gentile led the way for Melrose, finishing third with a time of 16:11, while senior Alex Wilson (seventh, 17:33), senior Chris Gonzalez (eighth, 17:34) and junior Andrew Driscoll (ninth, 17:38) all placed in the top 10. Melrose is 0-3 on the season, so far.

Girls

The Lady Raiders (3-0) posted a 20-38 win over Burlington on Sept. 27, at the Lady Devils 2.9-mile course. Senior Kelli Halligan placed first with a time of 19:35, while junior Sarah McDonald came in second at 20:20. Sophomore Katarina Frazier finished fourth with a time of 20:43, while senior Hannah Singleman (sixth, 21:13), sophomore Laura Tramontozzi (seventh, 21:31) and April Drafts-Johnson (ninth, 21:40) rounded out the top 10 for Melrose.