Published June 10, 2020
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNNFIELD — Although the high school season was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Eastern Massachusetts Girls Lacrosse Association recently gave up awards for seniors for their off-field contributions.
Coaches were allowed to send nominations for their players back in May.
Two Lynnfield High players were recognized and received awards: Mackenzie Schena and Tori Morelli. Schena received the Leadership Award while Morelli took home the Scholar-Athlete Award.
“We had a bunch of players who would’ve been strong players for us this season and who had great attitudes and were integral to the chemistry and positive outlook of the team,” said Pioneers head coach Ethan Blanchette. “Mac and Tori have been exceptional over the past few years and are both very deserving of recognition.”
Blanchette praised Schena’s leadership skills.
“Mac has an infectious personality,” he said. “Players on the team love and respect her and value her leadership. She leads with positivity and her actions. She was also one of our best players and is always dependable and reliable. She is a steady, calming personality that sets a positive tone for the team. I admire her for who she is and thank her for what she has done over the past three years for the program.”
Schena will be going to Syracuse this fall for college.
Blanchette boasted about Morelli’s field IQ.
“Tori is awesome and has been one of my favorite players to coach as a member of the lacrosse team,” said Blanchette. “She is extremely versatile and smart on the field and has been one of the most valuable players on the team since her sophomore season. She has a gift of understanding what I’m asking her and the team to do on both an individual and team level and she is able to get it done. She ranks in the top percent of the senior class, so she is hard-working and intelligent academically as well.”
Morelli will be attending Hamilton College in New York state this fall where she will play soccer.
