LYNNFIELD’s terrific season came to a heartbreaking end in the Div. 4 state championship game as they fell to top-seeded Cohasset 3-2 on a last-second goal. (Courtesy Photo)

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

MILTON — The Lynnfield High boys’ soccer team was looking to make it back-to-back Division 4 state titles on Nov. 23 as they took on Cohasset in the state championship game on a wet, raw day at Curry College in Milton.

In a heart-breaker for the Pioneers, the Skippers ended up scoring the game-winning goal with just over 30 seconds remaining in the game to win 3-2.

Sam Ellinger was the hero for the Skippers scoring the game-winner assisted by Cian Casey and Nathan Askjaer.

“It was a great game between two very good teams,” said Pioneers head coach Brent Munroe. “The kids were very disappointed, but I think they will appreciate what they did this year down the road.”

Things started off well for the locals scoring just three minutes in as Dillon Reilly scored assisted by Joel Anthony and Matt Reinold.

Cohasset tied it five minutes later as Casey took a pass from Askjaer, through defenders to set Casey up and Casey put it home to tie the game.

Late in the first half, Reilly hit the post on the team’s best chance to take the lead in the opening 40 minutes and the game stayed knotted at 1-1 at the half.

JOEL ANTHONY had a goal and an assist in the state championship game against Cohasset. (Courtesy Photo)

Two minutes into the second stanza, Lynnfield regained the lead as Anthony scored on a give-and-go play from Reilly.

The Skippers tied it up in the 61st minute as Ty Rudnick scored with 14:36 remaining. On the play, Pioneer goalie Kelan Cardinal had his grasp of the ball knocked out by a Skipper and Rydick was in the right place at the right time to put it home.

“Askjaer made the difference for them,” said Munroe, as he split two Pioneer defenders on the game-winner. “He is a terrific player.”

Cardinal made six saves while Skipper keeper Wylie Gardiner, made six stops as well.

With the loss, the 2nd-seeded Pioneers ended the year at 16-4-3, while the top-seeded Skippers finished at 19-4-2.

In the semifinal game on Nov. 19, the Pioneers edged Frontier Regional, 1-0, at Ayer-Shirley High School.

With the loss, 14th-seeded Frontier ended up at 15-3-4.

The lone goal came in the 55th minute as Reilly scored on a pass from Anthony.

On the play, Anthony carried the ball at midfield and sent a through ball up the middle to a streaking Reilly, who was then able to get behind the Frontier defense as he beat goalie Jack Cusson (three saves) to the left corner.

After the goal, the Red Hawks threatened as they had four corner kicks after the goal but Cardinal and the Pioneers were able to hold on.

“They were hard to break down with the strength of their defense,” admitted Munroe, about the Red Hawks. “They have a very organized team.”

Cardinal made three stops to post his third shutout of the state tournament.