CAPTAINS, from left, Maggie Ozanian, Trinity Gesamondo, and Ally Sykes will be leading the girls’ soccer team this fall. (Dan Tomasello Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The girls’ soccer team returned to the field this week, and the young Pioneers are looking to make some noise in the Cape Ann League once again.
The Pioneers concluded last season with a 10-6-4 record. Lynnfield advanced to the Division 3 state tournament, and the 24th seeded Pioneers fell 3-1 to ninth seed Austin Prep in the Round of 32. The Pioneers graduated nine seniors from last year’s squad.
With a promising young nucleus returning to the fold, Pioneers head coach Mark Vermont has high hopes for the 2022 season.
“The girls have been working really hard,” said Vermont. “The girls get along well and are looking forward to the season getting underway.”
Three captains will be leading the Pioneers this fall, including senior defender Maggie Ozanian.
“Maggie is a great leader,” said Vermont. “She is great at organizing and has been doing a nice job playing center-defense for us.”
Senior captain Trinity Gesamondo will be playing center-midfield for the Pioneers this season.
“We have a lot of young players on the team, and Trinity has been doing a great job making sure everyone is connected,” said Vermont. “She also has good vision and sees the field well.”
Captain Ally Sykes, who is a junior, will also be playing midfield this fall.
“Ally can play anywhere,” said Vermont. “She has a great work ethic, is a good communicator and is a good distributor. She is a very intelligent player.”
Junior Ava Gamache will be starting in net for the Pioneers.
“Ava is our only goalie, but she is ready for the season,” said Vermont. “She came up from the JV team last year and was Sam Bunar’s backup. She is a good goalie, and I know that she is going to be solid in net.”
The Pioneers are also welcoming back sophomore midfielder Emma Rose, sophomore midfielder Clara Caulfield, sophomore forward Bella Carroll, junior defender/midfielder Keely Briggs and junior midfielder Addison Connelly.
“We have a lot of sophomores this year,” said Vermont. “Even though they are young, we are going to be relying on them as well as the juniors and seniors to lead the way.”
The Pioneers’ roster also features junior midfielder/forward Catie Kampersal, junior midfielder Megan Woods, sophomore defender/midfielder Katie Connelly, sophomore midfielder/defender Ella Hayman, sophomore midfielder Morgan Hubbard, sophomore defender Ariana Guarracino, sophomore defender Lily Rocco, freshman forward/midfielder Hannah Ozanian and freshman forward/midfielder Bella Sykes.
Vermont said possessing the ball is the Pioneers’ biggest strength this fall.
“The team does a good job possessing the ball,” said Vermont. “If we can maintain possession, that will be a strength.”
While Vermont has high hopes for the season, he said it will take time for the Pioneers to gel on the field.
“It takes experience to learn how to play with consistency, especially at the varsity level,” said Vermont.
The Pioneers opened the 2022 season hosting Marblehead on Tuesday, Sept. 6, taking place after deadline. Lynnfield travels to North Reading on Wednesday, Sept. 8, beginning at 4 p.m. The Pioneers host Triton on Tuesday, Sept. 13, beginning at 4 p.m.
