THE SENIORS were honored before the field hockey team’s thrilling 2-1 win over rival North Reading on Oct. 23. Pictured from left to right is Gia Marotta, Taylor Valiton, Lauren MacDonald, Chloe Gromko and Libby Considine. (Courtesy Photo)
After press time:
Lynnfield defeats Joseph Case 4-0 (Nov. 4) in the Div. 4 MIAA State Tournament Round of 32
Follow more updates at: miaa.net
Published October 30, 2024
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
WEST NEWBURY — The final game of the regular season ended in a scoreless tie for the Lynnfield High field hockey team on Oct. 25 as they visited Pentucket.
With that tie, the Pioneers finished at 12-3-2 overall and 10-2-2 in the Cape Ann League as they came in 2nd place in the CAL Kinney Division behind co-champs North Reading and Newburyport.
Lynnfield went 0-0-2 against the Panthers this year.
“This was a good wake-up call,” said Lynnfield head coach Kerri Doherty. “Overall, we played a good game.”
Goalie, Lauren MacDonald, was the star of this game recording a season-high 12 saves to finish at 12-3-2 in net.
It was her 8th shutout of the year.
“She had a solid day in net including a big save on a penalty stroke in the fourth quarter,” said Doherty. “She has found her voice as well.”
Doherty was also pleased with the play of midfielders Gia Marotta and Lauren Mattia along with defenders Lily Alves, Hayden Valiton and Chloe Gromko.
On Oct. 23, the Pioneers edged rival North Reading, 2-1, at home on Senior Night to complete the season sweep over the Hornets.
Cameron Munion was the hero in this one scoring the game-winning goal off a feed from senior Taylor Valiton with 4:55 remaining in the third quarter.
Lynnfield got on the scoreboard first with a goal by freshman Sophia Morgese on a rebound in the second quarter with 5:22 left. That goal was unassisted.
North Reading tied the game in the third quarter 2:37 in as Alaina Driscoll scored.
MacDonald came up with eight saves as she faced four Hornet corners.
Before the game, the five Pioneers 12th-graders were honored. Those five seniors are Marotta, Taylor Valiton, Libby Considine, Chloe Gromko and MacDonald.
Marotta, Vailton and MacDonald are the three captains.
“The senior leadership was great,” said Doherty. “We had a lot of mental toughness and when we got up by one, executed well.”
The Pioneers entered this week ranked 5th in the MIAA Division 4 power rankings.
Lynnfield will get to host the first two postseason games with their seeding (opponent and date unknown as of press time).
The mantra for the Pioneers heading into the states is the Journey song “Don’t Stop Believing” from the 1980s.
