Published in the September 21, 2016 edition
GOAL! Elise Murphy’s aim was true as she follows through on her game-winning shot in Lynnfield’s 1-0 shutout of the Clippers at home Friday. (Maureen Doherty Photo)
By MAUREEN DOHERTY
LYNNFIELD — The Lady Pioneers field hockey team has begun the season strong with an undefeated record of 3-0-1. They shut out their opponents in each of the victories and gave up just one goal in the tie.
Lynnfield followed up its 2-0 shutout over Triton in the season opener with another 2-0 win over Pentucket on the Sachems’ natural grass field last Monday.
CAPTAIN Lilli Patterson (9) controls the ball in the middle of the field as captain Marianne Oliveri (8) moves in to pick up a pass in the team’s 1-0 win over the Clippers. (Maureen Doherty Photo)
The Pioneers then earned a 1-1 tie against the always tough Masconomet Chieftains last Wednesday in the home opener. They wrapped up their undefeated week with another shutout, this time by a score of 1-0 against the visiting Newburyport Clippers last Friday.
Against Pentucket Sept. 12, senior Kathleen Hamm opened the scoring with 1:31 left in the first half. Senior tri-captain Jaylin Grabau widened the gap when she scored 26:18 into the second half. “Both goals were unassisted,” said head coach Mamie Reardon.
Lynnfield struck first against the Chieftains Sept. 14. After a scoreless first half, Hamm and Grabau combined forces to get the Pioneers on the board in the second half. Hamm scored the goal, with the assist going to Grabau.
The Chieftains answered with a goal of their own to tie it up later in the second.
Lynnfield had a chance to take a 2-1 lead, but the goal was called back because it was hit from outside the circle. After 60 minutes of play, the final score stood at 1-1.
Dominate Clippers
In Friday’s game against the Newburyport Clippers, senior Elise Murphy scored the game-winner with 12:02 left on the clock to break the scoreless tie. The assist was earned by Grabau.
SOPHOMORE Brianna Barrett (4) breaks up the momentum of her Newburyport opponent despite being outnumbered 3 to 1 on this play in Lynnfield’s 1-0 victory. (Maureen Doherty Photo)
“Lilli Patterson started it and then Jay got a hold of it, passed it to Elise and Elise put it in,” she said.
She added that Grabau “came out really strong, aggressive, worked hard, and she did some nice things with the ball.”
She said Murphy is a “hustler” on the field as well as aggressive. “Once they gain that aggressiveness with the poise” there is no stopping them, she said.
“We dominated the game and we had multiple chances to score. We had six corners,” Reardon said after the game.
“The best thing that I liked about today was we were able to pass the ball. It was going from one to another to another. We just need to polish it off at the end and we’re going to be on our way. If we can get that going and get some more goals, I think we have a good chance of doing well this year,” she added.
Reardon said if her team can win their next game against rival North Reading, played Tuesday after press time, they will “be in the lead in CAL Kinney division one,” continuing their strong start to the season.
The coach added that tri-captain Lilli Patterson continues to play outstandingly well, directing the play on the field.
“She makes the plays happen, she switches the field, she stops the people coming through the middle. She’s the backbone of the team. She’s phenomenal,” Reardon said.
The Pioneers are also strong on the left side of the field. Sophomore Abby Buckley has proven to be invaluable to the team’s efforts on the left. “She is excellent. She can stop the ball. She is going up the stick side of the opponent, so it’s very hard for her. She reverses it and wins her one-on-ones most of the time,” Reardon said.
Senior tri-captain Marianne Oliveri, who also plays on the left side of the field, has been a dominant force in winning her one-on-ones as well. Reardon said Oliveri played “tough” against the Clippers.
Sophomore twins Ashley and Brianna Barrett continue to contribute to the strong team play. “The twins, I think, played great. They’re very aggressive,” Reardon said. “Especially in the second half, I was very pleased with their aggressive play. They’re very focused on the ball and trying very hard.”
“I’m very pleased. I just hope we can continue this. And they’re just a bunch of wonderful kids. They work hard,” Reardon said.
Up next
After Tuesday’s game against North Reading, the Pioneers host Rockport on Thursday, Sept. 22 at 3:45 p.m. Then they travel to Hamilton-Wenham on Monday, Sept. 26 and Beverly next Thursday, Sept. 29.
