IZZY FIORENTINO scored a hat trick to earn player of the game honors for Lynnfield in their 6-0 victory over Hamilton-Wenham last week. (Courtesy Photo)

 

 

After press time:
Lynnfield ties Pentucket 1-1 (Sept. 23)
Lynnfield defeats North Reading 1-0 (Sept. 18)

 

Published September 18, 2024

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

IPSWICH — On Monday afternoon, the Lynnfield High field hockey team visited Ipswich on a hot, sunny, late summer day looking for its fourth-consecutive win. The game ended in a scoreless tie as the Pioneers record went to 3-0-1 overall and in the Cape Ann League.

“We had more opportunities then they did but we just couldn’t finish,” said Pioneers’ first-year head coach Kerri Doherty.

Standouts on defense, according to Doherty were sophomore Hayden Valiton, junior Lily Alves and senior Chloe Gromko, who made a key play late off a corner to prevent a Tiger goal.

The amount of corners for both schools were close as the Pioneers had eight while Ipswich had seven.

“Their goalie (Abbie Allen) stood on her head,” said Doherty as the Pioneers had 15 shots on goal.

Pioneer goalie, senior captain Lauren MacDonald, made six saves to go to 3-0-1 in net.

On Sept. 11, the Pioneers had no trouble with Hamilton-Wenham as they blanked them, 6-0, at home.

Scoring four times in the opening half gave Doherty the luxury of using her bench a lot in the second half.

In the first quarter, the Pioneers scored three times.

Senior captain Taylor Valiton opened the scoring with 8:50 left in the quarter assisted by sophomore Lauren Mattia.

Junior Cameron Munion made it 2-0 with 4:13 remaining with Mattia and Taylor Valiton both getting credit for the assists.

Junior Izzy Fiorentino made it 3-0 with Taylor Valiton assisting with 2:40 left.

Valiton had her second goal one minute into the second assisted by Fiorentino to send the Pioneers to the half up 4-0.

Fiorentino then scored the game’s final two goals to record the hat trick. Mattia assisted on the first one with 13:09 left in the third. Taylor Valiton then had her third assist of the day when Fiorentino scored with 9:40 left in the game.

“The three of them are working together really well,” said Doherty, about Fiorentino, Mattia and Taylor Valiton.

MacDonald did not have to make any saves in goal as the Pioneers dominated the territorial play.

Lynnfield will face a tough test on Sept. 18 as they host rival North Reading in a key early-season showdown. That game will start at 4 p.m.

The Pioneers will then host Pentucket on Sept. 23 with that game also starting at 4 p.m.