Published October 30, 2019

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — The girls’ soccer team were crowned champions of the Cape Ann League Large Division for the first time in the program’s history last week.

“It’s pretty exciting,” said Pioneers head coach Mark Vermont. “We won the CAL Small Division before, but we never won the large division until this year. It was a great last game of the season against Masco that did it for us.”

The Pioneers (13-2-3) clinched the CAL Large title after tying Masco 2-2 on Oct. 23.

Senior captain Abby Lucich scored Lynnfield’s first goal off a rebound 2:31 into the first half. She found the back of the net after senior Anna Maria Ferrante missed a shot attempt.

Masco tied the game at one three minutes before halftime.

SENIOR Anna Maria Ferrante (6) scored two goals during the Pioneers’ 5-0 victory over Essex Tech on Oct. 21. (Dan Tomasello Photo)

The Chieftains took a 2-1 lead 12 minutes into the second half.

Sophomore Anna Radulski scored the game-tying goal at the second half’s 17-minute mark.

Senior Amberly McCarter tallied seven saves in the cage against the Chieftains.

Vermont said senior captain Liz Sykes played very well against Masco.

“Liz did a really good job on defense,” said Vermont. “She is a very smart and calm player in the back.”

Vermont also said Ferrante “did a great job up top” for the Pioneers. He said senior captain Tori Morelli and junior Julia Colucci “played well in the midfield.” He said junior defenders Lauren Braconnier and Lauren Mitchell “played 80 minutes against a real fast and strong Masco team.”

“It was an exciting game,” said Vermont. “If we had lost to Masco, we would have tied for the league title. Masco had something to play for as well.”

Declaws Hawks

The Pioneers began last week pounding Essex Tech 5-0 on Oct. 21.

Senior Emma Ricciardi gave the Pioneers a 1-0 lead a minute before halftime. Morelli had the assist.

Ferrante found the back of the net eight minutes into the second half. Lucich recorded the assist.

Ferrante gave the Pioneers a 3-0 lead 23 minutes into the second half. Lucich was credited with the assist.

Sophomore Adriana Parisi drilled a shot a minute after Ferrante scored her second goal, which gave Lynnfield a commanding 4-0 lead. Ricciardi had the assist.

Junior midfielder Kiera Burns scored her first varsity goal with 12 minutes remaining in the second half. Junior Michelle Miller was credited with her first varsity assist.

McCarter tallied three saves in net. Junior Lindsay Nardone recorded three saves in net as well.

Vermont said the Pioneers played well against the Hawks.

“We controlled the first half, but Essex Tech did a nice job defending,” said Vermont. “We started to find our groove in the second half. We were crisper with our passing. Our goals came because we had better movement off the ball.”

Tourney looms

The MIAA will be announcing the Division 3 North state tournament brackets on Friday, Nov. 1. To view the brackets, visit www.miaa.net.

The CAL will also be announcing the 2019 All-Stars on Wednesday, Oct. 30.