THE PIONEER girls’ lax team recently moved to 3-1 on the season with wins against Wilmington and Winthrop. (Courtesy Photo)

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

WILMINGTON — The Lynnfield High girls’ lacrosse team bounced back from its first loss of the season on Monday afternoon as they won at Wilmington, 18-9, in a non-league game.

With that victory, the Pioneers improved to 3-1 with all three wins coming in non-league games.

Lynnfield never trailed in this game as they kept the Wildcats at bay in the second half.

“I was very proud,” said Pioneers head coach Christina Serra. “Our passing was great and it feels like this team is improving every game.”

The Valiton sisters, Taylor and Hayden, scored 15 of the 18 goals as Taylor had eight to go with one assist while her younger sister had seven goals and one assist.

Jordan Calichman had a team-high three assists with one goal while Sophie Bergeron and Ava Damiani each had one goal and one assist.

Lily White added a pair of assists as well.

Lynnfield goalie, Casey Flynn, made 10 saves in net to go to 3-1.

Not only did Taylor Valiton have the eight goals and one assist but she also had 22 draw controls.

“She was very impressive,” said Serra about the junior attacker.

On April 3, the Pioneers lost their Cape Ann League opener as they fell, 15-7, at home to Hamilton-Wenham on a damp, cold day.

“It was a tough one,” admitted Serra. “Their star player (Evie Bernard) scored 12 goals against us when we played them last year so we face-guarded her and held her to six.”

Bernard, who also had seven draw controls was aided by Maisie Leland and Stewart Bernard who both scored three goals.

For Lynnfield, Taylor Valiton had three goals and one assist while Hayden had two goals and one assist. White and Keely Briggs had the two other goals while Calichman added a pair of assists.

Flynn made six stops in net.

The day before the Hamilton-Wenham game, the Pioneers beat guest Winthrop, 13-4, in a non-league contest.

Lynnfield took control of this one early as they led 5-1 after the first quarter and 8-1 at the break.

Despite the win, Serra was not completely happy.

“It was not our best game but we were able to pull it out,” she said. “It showed that we still have a lot of things to work on.”

Taylor Valiton led the offense again with seven goals and one assist while Hayden had three goals and one assist.

Damiani had two goals and one assist while Calichman had one goal and one assist.

Briggs had two assists while Aubrey Rocha chipped in one assist.

Flynn made four saves against the Vikings.

The home game last Friday against Wakefield was postponed due to the weather (make up date unknown as of press time).

On April 11, the Pioneers will visit Ipswich. That game will start at 4:30 p.m.