Published in the September 26, 2018 edition

By DAN PAWLOWSKI

LYNNFIELD — The LHS golf team came into 2018 with high expectations under new head coach Mike Moresco as they return plenty of talented and experienced players. 

With an extremely strong top four, the Pioneers are looking like the team to beat in the Cape Ann League early in the 2018 season. 

Senior captains George DeRoche and Aidan Kelly team up with junior Jack LaCoste and senior Armaan Singh to comprise the top four. The final four of the starting lineup has been a mix of five juniors who rotate in: Tom Sciaudone, Cole Giannasca, Bryan Mallett, Matt Stephens and Dan Mack. 

“Each one has played well both in practice and when given the opportunity to play in a match,” said Moresco. 

DeRoche and Kelly are embracing their roles as leaders and helping the more unexperienced players learn what it takes to win in the CAL.

“Both have really stepped up and taken over the leadership responsibilities,” said Moresco. “Not only are they both great golfers but they are also great teammates.”

So far, the Pioneers have defeated Amesbury (131-105), Pentucket (138-77), Masco (156-129), Rockport (141-112) and Newburyport (161-152). They have five more league matches before the CAL Open on Oct. 11. 

The impressive start is due in part to Lynnfield dedication in the offseason and commitment to the game that was evident to coach Moresco from the first day of tryouts. 

“All 14 members of the team played a lot of golf this summer and came to tryouts in August ready to compete,” said Moresco. “All of them have continued to work hard both on the course as well as the driving range and practice green. By and large, they have played quite consistently during each one of the matches but each one of the fourteen have yet to play their best golf in my opinion. I have no doubt that the best is yet to come for each one of them.”

Last year, the Pioneers finished 8-3, tied for third in the CAL Kinney Division. Newburyport finished tied for first in the Kinney last year, making Lynnfield’s victory over the Clippers on Sept. 20 at their home Sagamore Golf Club a big one for the program.

“The Newburyport match was a great high school golf match,” said Moresco. “Those Clippers are a very good team and presented a challenge for us from their one to eight golfer. Newburyport is a well-coached and time-tested team and it was a great experience for our golfers to be part of such a competitive match.”

Even with a 5-0 start and an early-season, first-place position in the division, the Pioneers are still focused on improving every day. It’s the best mindset to have in a sport, and a league, that requires your best every match. It’s all part of the process for Lynnfield golf, as this year’s group will continue to uphold the traditions of the program on and off the course.

“Each day, I can see improvement in their game,” said Moresco who is even more proud of the character of this team than their skill on the links. “These fourteen golfers are hard-working and respectful to everyone that they come in contact with. We always say that everything that a Lynnfield golfer does, both on the course and off, we do in a classy way. These fourteen have successfully adopted this. I couldn’t be more proud of each one of them.”

Lynnfield traveled to Ipswich (1-5) on Wednesday after press time. They host Manchester-Essex (1-3) on Thursday and have a huge tilt against Triton (5-1) on Tuesday. Both of those home matches will start at 3 p.m. at Sagamore.