KELAN CARDINAL and the LHS boys’ lacrosse team have won 11 of their last 12 games entering the final week of the season this week. The Pioneers were ranked fourth in the latest D4 power rankings. (Courtesy Photo)

 

 

After press time:
Lynnfield defeats Essex Tech 15-14 in Overtime (May 22)

 

Published May 22, 2024


By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

LYNNFIELD — The Lynnfield high boys’ lacrosse team beat host Winthrop, 17-14, on Monday night in a non-league game.

With that win, the Pioneers improved to 13-3 overall.

The Pioneers led this game, 5-4, at the half as both teams erupted on offense in the second half.

“Our transition game got better and they scored a lot of goals on man-up situations in the second half,” pointed out Lynnfield head coach Pat Lamusta, about the uptick on offense.

Will Norton led the attack with seven goals while Mike Murphy had a hat trick. Owen Considine and Owen Doherty both had two goals and three assists.

Evan Rocha had two goals while Kelan Cardinal had a team-high five assists and one goal.

Brendan Driscoll had a team-high seven ground balls.

Pioneer goalie, Ben Pimentel, made 15 saves to go to 13-3.

Last Saturday, the Pioneers had their 10-game winning streak snapped as they fell, 15-10, to guest Manchester-Essex.

The Hornets were able to split the season series as Lynnfield won the first meeting, 15-12, back on Apr. 23.

“The first quarter did not go well for us,” admitted Lamusta, whose squad was outscored, 9-1. “They have good wing players on the face-offs and they dominated us.”

The nine goals were the most the Pioneers have allowed in any quarter this season as the game was knotted at five at the half.

Lynnfield was able to rally a little in the fourth quarter but the hole was too big to dig out of.

Murphy had a career-high five goals to go with three assists. Norton scored a hat trick while Cardinal had one goal a team-high four assists.

Rocha had the other tally while Considine and Owen White both had one assist.

Pimentel made 12 saves in net.

“We also struggled with the ground balls,” pointed out Lamusta.

On May 16, the Pioneers won, 13-5, at Newburyport in the team’s only meeting this spring.

“That was the first time we have beaten them since 2016,” recalled Lamusta. “Our offense converted on every opportunity and our shooting was spectacular.”

Down 2-0, the Pioneers outscored the Clippers, 4-1, to go to halftime leading by one. In the second stanza, the Pioneers took control outscoring them, 9-2.

Norton erupted for seven goals and also had one assist. Murphy had two goals and two assists while Considine also scored twice.

Cardinal had a team-high four assists and scored once while Rocha had one goal and one assist.

Pimentel stopped 13 shots on net.

“He had a great game,” said Lamusta. “Several of his saves were doorstop saves.”

Jake Connell had a team-high five ground balls.

In the game before Newburyport, Lynnfield defeated Ipswich, 9-6 on the road on May 14. The Pioneers were able to able to get a season split with the Tigers as Ipswich won the first match-up, 13-9, back on Apr. 11th.

Lynnfield had a good start and led, 6-1, at the half. The Tigers chipped away in the second half but the Pioneers were able to keep them at bay.

“Our defense played very well,” said Lamusta. “Ipswich is a great team and they played much better in the second half.”

Norton, the team’s top scorer, had six goals and one assist while Murphy had two goals and two assists. Rocha had one goal and one assist.

A.J. Chiaradonna, Cardinal and John Powers all added one assist.

Pimentel recorded a season-high 17 saves.

“He was ridiculous,” stated Lamusta.

Aidan Norton led the team in ground balls with five.

The Pioneers play their final CAL game on May 22 as they host Essex Tech at 6 p.m. That is the team’s Senior Night as the eight 12th-graders will be honored before the game.

They wrap up the regular season on May 24 as they host Melrose at 3 p.m.

Entering this week, Lynnfield is the fourth seed in the MIAA Division 4 power rankings. The top 32 teams, at the end of the regular season, automatically qualify for the states.

The seedings will come out early next week.