UPDATE: Girls’ lacrosse team falls to Melrose, defeats Essex Tech following win over Georgetown

 

 

After press time:
Lynnfield falls to Melrose 16-14 (May 24)
Lynnfield defeats Essex Tech 20-9 (May 22)

 

 

Published May 22, 2024

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

GEORGETOWN — On Monday afternoon, the Lynnfield High girls’ lacrosse team won at Georgetown, 14-8, to complete the season sweep over the Royals.

The Pioneers also snapped a three-game losing streak as they improved to 8-10 overall and 4-8 in the Cape Ann League.

“The girls played great,” said Pioneers head coach Christina Serra. “We had three tough games last week and I think that helped us going into this game.”

Lynnfield had a good first half as they were up, 10-4, at the break as both schools scored four times in the second half.

Hayden Valiton led the attack with six goals and two assists while her older sister, Taylor, had four goals and two helpers.

Ava Damiani had two goals and two assists while Maddie Mastrangelo had two goals and one assist.

Lynnfield goalie, Casey Flynn, made a season-high 17 saves in net as her record improved to 8-10.

“She was unbelievable,” stated Serra.

The Royals, who fell to 5-11 overall and 2-9 in the CAL, were playing their Senior Day game.

On May 17, the Pioneers lost at Manchester-Essex, 7-4, on the Hornets’ Senior Night.

The Hornets were able to complete the season sweep over LHS as they won, 14-4, in the first meeting back on April 23.

“They have an amazing goalie (Brigid Carovillan), who is going to play at he University of North Carolina,” pointed out Serra. “We had a lot of shots on her but had trouble scoring.”

Manchester-Essex led this game, 4-1, at the half.

“They are a very aggressive team,” added Serra.

All four Pioneers goals came from ninth-graders: Hayden Valiton, Jordan Calichman, Maeve Wertz and Damiani.

Lily White had one assist.

Flynn turned back eight Hornets shots in this contest.

On May 16, the Pioneers lost, 18-10, at home to Newburyport.

“We have never scored that many goals against them,” said Serra. “I was very proud of the way our team played.”

The defending Division 3 state champion Clippers led this game, 10-7, at the half as the Pioneers were able to make things interesting for a while.

The Valiton sisters each had four goals and one assist each. Calichman had the two other goals and also had one assist.

Mastrangelo had two helpers while Damiani also chipped in one assist.

Flynn made seven saves in net.

Against Ipswich on May 14, the Pioneers lost 20-13 at home. With that win, the Tigers were able to complete the season sweep as they won the first match-up, 16-7, on April 11.

“They have a very good team,” said Serra. “We did play them much better than the first time back in April.”

The Tigers led this one, 12-7, at the break.

Hayden Valiton had five goals and one assist while Taylor also scored five times. Damiani had the other three goals to go with three assists.

Calichman had one assist while Flynn made 10 saves.

On May 22, the Pioneers visit Essex Tech in their final CAL game of the year. That game, up in Danvers, will start at 6 p.m.

Lynnfield then wraps up the regular season on May 24 as they go to Melrose. That game will start at 3 p.m.

The Pioneers entered this week ranked 15th in the MIAA Division 4 power rankings. The top 32 teams, at the end of the regular season, automatically qualify for the states

If the Pioneers can finish in the top 16, they will get to open the playoffs at home as the seedings will come out early next week.