KELAN CARDINAL picked up two shutouts in Lynnfield’s first two games as the Pioneers are off to a fast, 2-0 start this season. (Dan Pawlowski Photo)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNNFIELD — It was a good start to the season for the Lynnfield High boys’ soccer team last week as they won their first two games.
Last Thursday, in the Cape Ann League opener, the Pioneers blanked guest North Reading by a final of 2-0 on a warm, late summer day.
With about 10 minutes left in the first half, sophomore Dillon Reilly scored on a 30-yard shot. Senior captain Alex Gentile, who picked off a Hornet pass at midfield, got the assist.
“It was a nice high shot just under the crossbar,” pointed out Pioneers head coach Brent Munroe.
The other tally came with eight minutes remaining in the game as Gentle scored assisted by Reilly.
Lynnfield goalie, sophomore Kellen Cardinal, made nine saves in net to go to 2-0.
“It was a very good win,” said Munroe. “North Reading is one of our biggest rivals and they have a good team. The game was physical but clean.”
In the season opener on Sept. 6, the Pioneers won a non-league game shutting out host Swampscott, 3-0, in the rain.
“We dominated most of the game and had many shots,” recalled Munroe. “We had trouble scoring early but eventually were able to come through.”
Late in the opening half, Reilly scored assisted by senior captain Owen Klee.
The second tally came with 15 minutes remaining in the game as junior Nate Clancy scored his first-career goal off a corner assisted by senior captain Henry Caulfield.
Lynnfield then scored their final goal with five minutes left as Klee scored off a scrum with a shot to the right corner of the Big Blue net. That tally was unassisted.
Cardinal had an easy day in net having only to make two saves to record the shutout.
On Sept. 15, the Pioneers visit Rockport at 6 p.m.
Lynnfield then host Waltham at noon on Sept. 17 in non-league action.
On Sept. 20, the Pioneers return to CAL play as they welcome Hamilton-Wenham. That game will start at 4 p.m.
