UPDATE: Field hockey blanks Hamilton-Wenham after beating Essex Tech 2-1 in home-opener

 

 

After press time:
Lynnfield defeats Hamilton-Wenham 6-0 (Sept. 11)

 

 

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

LYNNFIELD — It was a successful home opener for the Lynnfield High field hockey team on Monday afternoon as they edged Essex Tech, 2-1, on a warm, sunny day.

With the win, the Pioneers improved to 2-1 overall and in the Cape Ann League.

“We had plenty of opportunities and we moved the ball well,” said Pioneers head coach Kerri Doherty, whose squad led 2-0 at the half.

Gia Marotta scored the first goal on a corner just 3:24 into the game assisted by Taylor Valiton.

“Gia is very skilled and she scored a textbook goal,” said Doherty.

With 12:49 remaining in the second quarter, Valiton made it 2-0 assisted by Libby Considine

The Hawks scored midway through the fourth quarter causing Doherty to call time out to settle her team.

Lynnfield was then able to hold on the rest of the afternoon.

Pioneer goalie Lauren MacDonald made three saves to improve to 2-1 in net.

On Sept. 6, the Pioneers were edged, 3-2, at Newburyport.

“They are a tough team with a lot of depth,” said Doherty. “They came out fast but we were able to play our game later on.”

The Clippers scored twice in the first quarter to put the Pioneers in an early hole.

Lynnfield was able to right the ship and, with 1:06 left in the first, cut the lead to one on a Valiton tally.

Cameron Munion and Lily Alves both assisted.

The scored stayed that way until the Clippers scored in the third quarter to get the lead back to two.

Valiton scored with 7:57 left in the game to cut the lead to one again and that tally was assisted by Izzy Fiorentino and Lauren Mattia.

However, the Pioneers couldn’t get the game-tying goal.

MacDonald made 11 saves in net as she had a busy day.

“She had a monster game,” stated Doherty, who felt good about her team despite the loss in that it showed her team could compete with anybody in the CAL.

In the season opener on Sept. 4, Doherty picked up her first win as Lynnfield’s head coach as the Pioneers beat host Triton, 3-1, in Byfield.

“We set the tone in the first half,” said Doherty, whose team led, 3-0, at the half.

Valiton scored off a corner with 7:33 left in the first quarter assisted by Marotta and Mattia.

The Pioneers then scored twice in the second. With 11:40 remaining, Fiorentino scored off a rebound that was assisted by Munion

With 9:50 remaining, Valiton scored off a rebound with the assist going to Fiorentino.

The Vikings scored early in the third quarter but never really threatened after that.

“That was a good first game,” recalled Doherty. “Triton is a physical team but we did a good job of not retaliating.”

MacDonald made four saves in that game.

The Pioneers welcome Hamilton-Wenham on Wednesday and then go to Ipswich on Monday, Sept. 16. Both of those games will start at 4 p.m.