THE PIONEERS will keep the Pepe-Samson trophy after a thrilling, 11-10 win over North Reading at UMass-Lowell on May 7. (Courtesy Photo)
After press time:
Lynnfield defeats Georgetown 14-8 (May 20)
Lynnfield falls to Manchester Essex 7-4 (May 17)
Lynnfield falls to Newburyport 18-10 (May 16)
Lynnfield falls to Ipswich 20-13 (May 14)
Published May 15, 2024
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNNFIELD — On May 9, the Lynnfield High girls’ lacrosse team won its second game in a row as they beat guest Malden Catholic, 20-8, in a non-league contest.
With the victory, the Pioneers record improved to 7-7 overall.
The Pioneers took command early as they led 8-1 after the first quarter.
“We were in control the entire game,” pointed out Pioneers head coach Christina Serra. “I was very happy with the way we played.”
The 20 goals matched a season high as they scored 20 against Triton back on April 9.
Taylor Valiton scored eight times while her sister, Hayden, had four goals and three assists. Ava Damiani had a career-high six goals to go with one assist.
Jordan Calichman had three assists and one goal while Keely Briggs had the other tally. Lily White had one assist.
Lynnfield goalie, Casey Flynn, made nine saves in net.
On May 7, Lynnfield edged rival North Reading, 11-10 in a game that took place at UMass-Lowell (North Reading was the home team).
With that victory, the Pioneers improved to 3-5 in the Cape Ann League.
This game was nip-and-tuck most of the way. Down, 11-9, the Hornets scored late in the fourth quarter to cut the lead to one but the Pioneers were able to hold on.
“They face-guarded Taylor but some of our other players stepped up,” pointed out Serra.
Despite the face-guarding, Valiton still scored three times. Hayden Valiton also recorded a hat trick while Damiani had two goals and four assists.
Maddie Mastrangelo scored two times while Briggs had one goal and a pair of assists. Calichman had one assist.
Flynn turned back seven shots in net.
Serra enjoyed playing at UMass-Lowell.
“It was a fun atmosphere,” said Serra, whose team also regained the Pepe-Samson Trophy that goes to the winner.
This year is the first time the schools only play against each other once as the Pioneers are now in the CAL Baker Division so they get to keep the trophy until next year.
On May 16, the Pioneers host the defending Div. 3 state champion, Newburyport, with that game starting at 4:30 p.m. The next night, they visit Manchester-Essex at 7:30 p.m. The Hornets won the first meeting, 14-4, back on April 23.
Lynnfield then goes to Georgetown on May 20 looking for the season sweep over the Royals. The Pioneers won the first match-up, 18-14, on April 30. That game will start at 5 p.m.
The Pioneers entered this week ranked 15th in the MIAA Division 4 power rankings. The top 32 teams, at the end of the regular season, automatically qualify for states.
