THE LHS field hockey team has gone undefeated in their last four games. The Pioneers picked up some new tips from LHS ’19 and VCU field hockey alums Brianna and Ashley Barrett who stopped by practice on Friday. (LHS Field Hockey Photo)

 

 

Updates post publication:
Lynnfield falls to Manchester-Essex 2-1 (Sept. 27)
Lynnfield defeats North Andover (Sept. 29)
Lynnfield defeats Triton 5-1 (Oct. 2)

 


By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

GROVELAND — On Monday afternoon, the Lynnfield High field hockey team beat host Pentucket, 4-1, up in Groveland.

With that victory, the Pioneers improved to 4-2-1 overall and 3-2-1 in the Cape Ann League.

Taylor Valiton was the story in this game as the junior recorded her first-career hat trick.

“We moved her up this year and she is hungry to score,” said Pioneers head coach Samantha Pindara. “She is a forward in lacrosse and those skills have helped her with field hockey.”

Sophia Fiorentino had the team’s first goal with 8:41 left in the first goal and that came off a corner. Gia Marotta had the assist.

One minute later, Valiton scored off her own rebound to make it 2-0.

She then scored her second goal with 8:57 remaining in the third quarter and that one was assisted by Lauren Mattia.

The Panthers scored their lone goal of the afternoon with 56 seconds left in the third as Cat Colvin scored.

Valiton then got her hat trick with 12:45 left in the game off a corner as Lily Alves assisted.

Pioneer goalie, Lauren MacDonald, made two saves to go to 4-2-1.

In their first non-league game of the fall, the Pioneers blanked guest Beverly, 3-0, on Sept. 21.

Fiorentino had the lone tally of the opening half, assisted by Valiton, as she scored with 3:55 left in the first quarter.

Fiorentino’s younger sister, Izzy, made it 2-0 with 8:43 remaining in the third off a corner. Marotta assisted.

Sophia Fiorentino had the final goal with 6:15 left in the fourth and Valiton assisted on that one.

“That was our first non-league game and we did not know much about them,” admitted Pindara. “They are a bigger school that are two divisions up on us so that was a good win.”

MacDonald turned back three Beverly shots on net.

The day before the Beverly win, the Pioneers tied rival North Reading, 1-1, at home.

“That was a good game,” recalled Pindara. “We are very similar types of teams.”

After a scoreless opening half, the Hornets drew first blood scoring off a corner as Alana Driscoll scored with 5:53 left in the third.

Lynnfield tied it with 2:31 left in the third as Izzy Fiorentino scored, unassisted.

MacDonald made three saves.

“We were not able to capitalize on our opportunities,” said Pindara, as her squad had several chances for the game-winning goal.

The next game for the Pioneers is Sept. 27 as they visit Manchester-Essex. They then visit North Andover for a non-league game on Sept. 29.

On Oct. 2, they visit Triton as they return to CAL play. All three of those games will start at 4 p.m.