THE LHS boys’ lacrosse team had a great run through the Div. 4 state tournament end in the quarterfinals on the road against Sandwich. (File Photo)

 

 

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

SANDWICH — It was a long trip for the Lynnfield High boys’ lacrosse team on Friday afternoon as they had to travel to Sandwich for their MIAA Division 4 Round of 8 game.

It was an even longer trip back home for the Pioneers as they lost, 15-4, to the Blue Knights.

With that defeat, the 7th-seeded Pioneers ended the year at 12-9. The 2nd-seeded Blue Knights, meanwhile, improved to 14-7 as they took on Dover-Sherborn in the state semi-finals round on June 14 (results not available at press time).

Lynnfield hung around for a while as they only trailed, 4-3, early in the second quarter. However, the hosts then took command scoring 11 straight goals.

Sandwich led, 8-3, at halftime.

“They have good size and a lot of speed,” said Pioneers head coach Pat Lamusta. “They also have great shooters and a great defense.”

Connor Stack led the Blue Knight attack with seven points as he had three goals and four assists. He was also 17 for 20 on face-offs.

Avery Richardson had five goals while Cole Rodgers netted four.

Sandwich goalie, Shane Corcoran made 15 saves.

For Lynnfield, Owen Considine and Will Norton both scored twice. Jack Calichman had two assists while Steve Dreher and Kelan Cardinal had one assist each.

Dreher also led the team in ground balls with four.

Lynnfield goalie, Ben Pimentel, ended up at 19-9 in net as he made 14 saves.

On June 7, the Pioneers defeated guest Manchester-Essex, 10-6, in the Round of 16 game. That win avenged a tight, 10-9, road loss to the Hornets back on May 5 in the teams other meeting this year.

With that loss, the 10th-seeded Hornets ended the year at 15-5.

“It was nice to avenge that loss,” said Lamusta.

This game was nip-and-tuck the opening half as the game was knotted at five at the half as each team during the first 24 minutes. Lynnfield then led, 7-5, after the third quarter.

“We were more in control in the second half,” pointed out Lamusta. “We were too physical in the first half and had four penalties, which they took advantage of. We only had two of them in the second half.”

Norton led the offense with five goals while Drew Damiani scored twice. Cardinal had three points with a goal and two assists. Considine and Mike Murphy had the two other goals.

Calichman had five assists while Aidan Norton had a team-high five ground balls to go with one assist.

Pimentel made eight saves in net.

Quinn Brady led the Hornets in scoring with three goals while net minder, Jack Dipisquale, made seven saves in net.