MIKE MURPHY racked up 7 points on 4 goals and 3 assists in Lynnfield’s first round, 20-8 victory over Triton on Monday at Pioneer Stadium. The No. 4 Pioneers will host No. 13 Swampscott on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. in the second round. (Courtesy Photo)

 

 

After press time:
Lynnfield falls to Swampscott 9-7 (June 5)

 

Published June 5, 2024

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

LYNNFIELD — It was a successful playoff opener for the Lynnfield High boys’ lacrosse team on Monday afternoon as they beat Triton 20-8 in the first round of the MIAA Division 4 State Tournament on a hot, sunny day at Pioneer Stadium.

With that victory, the 4th-seeded Pioneers improved to 16-3 while the 29th-seeded Vikings ended the 2024 campaign at 4-14.

This is the second time the Pioneers have beaten the Vikings this spring as they won, 12-3, at home back on April 9.

“They improved a lot since we first played them,” said Pioneers head coach Pat Lamusta. “They have some very good shooters.”

The key juncture for the locals was in the second quarter. Leading 5-3 after the opening 12 minutes, the Pioneers took command, outscoring the Vikings 7-1 in the second to lead by eight at the half.

“The guys were more aggressive going to the net,” explained Lamusta. “We also were able to get stops on defense and turn those into transition opportunities.”

Will Norton, the team’s top scorer, led the offense with seven goals and one assist. The junior also recorded his 100th-point of the season in the second quarter.

Junior Mike Murphy also had a huge day with seven points as he had four goals and three assists. Juniors Owen Considine, Owen Doherty and Kelan Cardinal all recorded hat tricks. Cardinal also had two assists while Doherty had one helper.

Senior Evan Rocha also chipped in one assist.

Pioneer junior goalie, Ben Pimentel, made five saves to go to 16-3 in net.

Junior Tyler Maddocks had 13 face-off wins.

“Tyler got better as the game went along,” said Lamusta.

The ground-ball leader for the Pioneers was senior Niccolo Antidormi who had five.

The second-round game (Round of 16) will be on Wednesday as the Pioneers host 13th-seeded Swampscott at 4:30 p.m.

The Big Blue enter the game at 18-1 as they beat Medway 13-4 at home on Monday in the first round.

Lynnfield has a chance to avenge an 8-7 loss to the Big Blue in the season opener back on April 1.

“They have a very good team and it should be very competitive,” said Lamusta.

The winner will play the winner of No. 12 Ipswich vs. No. 5 Cohasset in the quarterfinals.