Published September 30, 2020
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNNFIELD — When the Lynnfield High field hockey team takes to the field in October, the sideline will look a little different as longtime head coach Mamie Reardon retired back in March.
Reardon was the Pioneers’ head coach since 1982 missing only one season due to family issues.
“I decided it was time back in February and I told the school in March,” recalled Reardon.
Reardon was a physical education and health teacher at Melrose Middle School and retired from there back in 2014.
Her final season was a memorable one as the North champion Pioneers reached the Division 2 state semifinals before being edged, 2-1, by eventual state champ Dover-Sherborn.
Lynnfield finished at 16-5 overall and 12-4 in the league as they came in second place in the CAL Kinney division behind Masconomet.
“Along with last year, we were also the (Division 2) North champions back in 1991 and 2000,” pointed out Reardon, about her most memorable teams.
Another highlight for Reardon was getting the new turf field back in 2014 at the school. Before, the team played at the worn out grass field at the middle school.
The thing she will miss most about coaching are the kids.
“I have been blessed to have a lot of great kids to get to coach through the years,” said Reardon. “My job was to motivate them and I had the time of my life and was able to accomplish a lot.”
With the coronavirus, and the shakeup it has caused in high school sports, Reardon was relieved that she doesn’t have to deal with that.
“Obviously, the pandemic took place after I decided to retire,” she said. “I felt so bad for the seniors who didn’t have a prom or the proper graduation that they should have.”
With no postseason in field hockey she also feels bad for the current players.
“We had goals at the start of the season, the first one was to make the states, the second was to win the league and the third was to win the state title. Now there is no playoffs for these girls.”
Samantha Pindara, who was an assistant under Reardon two seasons ago, is the new Pioneer head coach.
“Although I only worked with her one year, I learned a lot,” said Pindara. “She is a great person to watch and listen to. She helped her players grow on and off the field and I plan to call her from time to time when I need advice.”
North Reading head coach, Andrea Slaven, has gone against Reardon the past four years with North Reading.
“I thought very highly of her,” said Slaven. “When I started four years ago, she welcomed me with open arms. She did a tremendous job there and her teams were classy and very sportsmanlike. She is well respected and I wish her well in retirement.”
Reardon, who lives in Saugus, has been busy golfing with her free time but did admit that having not to prepare for field hockey in August for the first time in many, many years was a little weird.
She does plan on attending some Pioneer games this season.
“I want to thank the administration on down and appreciate the support of the parents through the years,” said Reardon. “It was a great ride.”
