UPDATE: Lynnfield field hockey (12-3-3) ties Pentucket, edges North Reading following Amesbury shutout

After press time:
Lynnfield ties Pentucket 0-0 (Oct. 25)
Lynnfield defeats North Reading 2-1 (Oct. 23)

 

 

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

AMESBURY — On Monday evening, the Lynnfield High field hockey team shut out host Amesbury 3-0. With that victory, the Pioneers improved to 11-3-2 overall and 9-2-2 in the Cape Ann League.

It was a homecoming of sorts for Pioneers’ head coach Kerri Doherty who was the Red Hawks coach the past four seasons.

“It was a nice return,” said Doherty. “I got a very warm welcome from everybody there.”

Taylor Valiton scored the first goal with 3:30 left in the first quarter off a corner that was assisted by Lily Alves.

“Lily had a nice corner feed,” said Doherty.

The second tally came with 6:10 left in the game as Cameron Munion scored assisted by Sophia Morgese.

With 2:58 remaining, Morgese had the final goal assisted by Valiton.

“Playing on the grass, we made the right adjustments using simple push passes,” said Doherty, as Amesbury and Rockport are the two schools that still have a grass surface.

Pioneer goalie, Lauren MacDonald, did not have to make any saves as she had her seventh shutout of the year.

Lynnfield had 15 shots and had eight corners.

Last Saturday morning, the Pioneers shutout guest Triton, 3-1, to complete the season sweep over the Vikings.

In the first quarter, Izzy Fiorentino scored the opening goal assisted by Lauren Mattia with 9:41 remaining. That was the only goal of the opening 30 minutes.

Lynnfield then made it 2-0 with 9:03 left in the third quarter as Valiton scored off a corner assisted by Gia Marotta.

“It was a well-executed corner,” said Doherty.

Triton cut the lead to one later on in the third as Jersey Giordano scored with 3:55 remaining.

Valiton then scored an insurance goal in the fourth assisted by Alves with seven minutes left.

MacDonald had three saves on the day.

Lynnfield out-shot and out-cornered Triton with 15 shots on net and eight corners.

“That was a great growth game for us,” said Doherty. “We had too many turnovers and that allowed them back into the game but, hopefully, we learned.”

On Oct. 16, the Pioneers edged host Essex Tech, 1-0, up in Danvers.

Fiorentino had the lone goal with two minutes remaining in the first quarter.

Alves and Marotta both assisted on the play.

“That was a true battle in the middle of the field,” recalled Doherty. “Lauren, Gia and Libby (Considine) came up with some big plays anticipation-wise and shut down their counter attacks.”

MacDonald turned back six Hawks shots on net.

Doherty was also pleased with the play of left back Chloe Gromko.

On Oct. 23, the Pioneers have a huge game as they host CAL Kinney Division leaders, North Reading at 6 p.m.

Lynnfield is looking for the season sweep over the Hornets as they won the first meeting, 1-0, back on Sept. 18.

That is also the team’s Senior Night as Considine, Marotta, MacDonald, Valiton and Gromko will be honored before the game.

The Pioneers entered this week seeded 6^th in the MIAA Division 4 power rankings.

Lynnfield then visits Pentucket on Oct. 24 with that game starting at 4 p.m. The two schools had a 1-1 draw back on Sept. 23 in the first match-up.

Lynnfield will then scrimmage Masconomet at home on Oct. 29 at 4 p.m. to gear up for the states.