THE NINE SENIORS suiting up for the girls’ soccer team this fall are, from left, Lucy Cleary, Anna Radulski, Marissa Corvi, captain Lexi Veglia, captain Samantha Bunar, captain Adri Parisi, Abby Adamo, Lanah Rosenwald and Mariella Calvani. (Dan Tomasello Photo)

 

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — The girls’ soccer team is back on the field, and is looking to make some noise in the Cape Ann League this fall.

The Pioneers concluded an abbreviated 2020 season with a 4-5 record. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the MIAA implemented a number of modified rule changes last year that included requiring players to wear masks and prohibited certain plays. Those rules have been lifted this season.

“I am glad that we are back to playing soccer,” said Pioneers head coach Mark Vermont. “Last year was a hard season for everyone due to all of the restrictions. I am looking forward to playing actual soccer this season.”

Three senior captains will be leading the Pioneers this fall, including goalie Samantha Bunar.

“Samantha is a very strong goalkeeper,” said Vermont. “She is a great leader for us.”

Senior captain Lexi Veglia will be playing forward for the Pioneers once again.

“Lexi leads by example,” said Vermont. “She has good speed and good foot skills.”

Senior captain Adri Parisi will be playing forward alongside Veglia.

“Adri has great speed and is very aggressive,” said Vermont. “She is an excellent leader.”

In addition to the three captains, the Pioneers are also welcoming back senior defender Abby Adamo, senior defender Marissa Corvi, senior defender Lanah Rosenwald, senior midfielder Anna Radulski, senior defender Lucy Cleary and senior defender Mariella Calvani. The three juniors returning to the fold are defender/midfielder Maggie Ozanian, defender/midfielder Trinity Gesamondo and forward Abi Travers.

The three sophomores suiting up for the Pioneers this fall are forward Keely Briggs, midfielder Ally Sykes and defender Addie Connelly. The three freshmen who made the varsity team are forward Bella Carroll, midfielder Clara Caufield and midfielder Emma Rose.

“I think the team is going to be well-balanced,” said Vermont. “We have a good group of upperclassmen returning and we have an equally good group of underclassmen coming up.”

Vermont said the Pioneers’ scrimmages against Masconomet, Danvers and Bishop Fenwick along with a jamboree that featured Amesbury and Lexington were incredibly beneficial for the team.

“We are starting to build pretty good chemistry, which was hard to do last year because of all the COVID restrictions,” said Vermont. “The girls weren’t able to see each other much in school and joke around last year, which is needed in order to build chemistry.”

Vermont said the Pioneers have to focus on winning balls in the air as well as headers.

“Those were prohibited last year due to the COVID restrictions, and those skills are hard to get back,” said Vermont.

Ties North Reading

The Pioneers began the 2021 Cape Ann League season tying North Reading 1-1 on Sept. 10.

The contest was a defensive battle for most of the game. North Reading jumped out to an early 1-0 lead after the Hornets scored a goal with seven minutes remaining in the game.

Parisi tied the game at one with four minutes remaining in the game. Veglia had the assist.

“Lexi did a nice job beating her defender to the outside, and Adri was able to pop it in,” said Vermont.

Bunar had four saves in net against the Hornets.

“There weren’t a lot of shots by either team, but Samantha came up with a big save on a breakaway,” said Vermont.

Vermont said senior Mariella Calvani “played very well defensively” for the Pioneers.

“It’s always a battle whenever we play North Reading,” said Vermont. “The game didn’t disappoint.”

Upcoming games

Vermont said the Pioneers’ Sept. 13 game against Triton was postponed due to a “bee problem.” Lynnfield travels to Rockport on Wednesday, Sept. 15, beginning at 6 p.m. The Pioneers host Essex Tech on Saturday, Sept. 18, beginning at 10 a.m.