SENIOR CAPTAIN/DEFENDER Keely Briggs (6) celebrates after scoring a hat trick during the girls’ soccer team’s 4-1 victory over Amesbury on Oct. 20. (Jamie Hayman Photo)
Update post publication:
Lynnfield defeats Pentucket 2-0 (Oct. 24)
Lynnfield defeats Marblehead 3-1 (Oct. 26)
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The girls’ soccer team clinched the Cape Ann League Kinney Division title for the first time in five years last week.
“It’s awesome,” said Pioneers head coach Mark Vermont. “The Cape Ann League is a tough league. It’s pretty special that we were able to win the title this year.”
The Pioneers (12-2-2) clinched the CAL Kinney Division title after defeating Amesbury 4-1 on Oct. 20.
Senior captain/defender Keely Briggs recorded a hat trick against the Redhawks. She scored her first goal six minutes into the first half, assisted by junior forward Bella Carroll and senior forward Catie Kampersal.
Briggs wasted no time scoring her second goal, as she buried a shot seven minutes into the first half. Senior captain/goalie Ava Gamache and Carroll had the assists.
Amesbury scored its only goal of the game nine minutes into the first half.
Briggs scored her third goal with 17 minutes remaining in the opening frame, assisted by sophomore forward/midfielder Bella Sykes, junior midfielder Emma Rose and Carroll.
“Keely was absolutely huge for us,” said Vermont. “She was a big spark. She is a great player.”
Sophomore midfielder Hannah Ozanian scored the Pioneers’ final goal with 15 minutes remaining in the first half. Freshman forward Kaylee Barrett and freshman midfielder Giada Antidormi had the assists.
Gamache tallied two saves in net against Amesbury.
Vermont noted that the Pioneers spent about half of the game playing in the Redhawks’ attacking end.
Defeats Rockport
The Pioneers crushed Rockport 6-0 on Oct. 18.
Carroll scored a hat trick against Vikings. She scored her first goal four minutes into the game.
Undaunted, Carroll scored her second goal on a breakaway 11 minutes into the first half. Rose had the assist.
Carroll completed the hat trick with 16 minutes remaining in the first half, assisted by Bella Sykes.
“Bella came up big with the hat trick,” said Vermont about Carroll’s performance.
Freshman forward Ava Damiani scored her first varsity goal two minutes into the second half after receiving a pass from Rose.
Sophomore forward Ava Cook found the back of the net 16 minutes into the second half, assisted by Ozanian.
Damiani scored her second goal of the game off of a breakaway with 14 minutes remaining in the game.
“It was great that Ava scored her first two varsity goals against Rockport,” said Vermont.
Gamache recorded two saves in the cage against the Vikings.
Vermont commended the Pioneers’ performance against Rockport.
“It’s always tough going up to Rockport,” said Vermont. “The girls handled the long bus ride, and played strong right out of the gate. They took care of business.”
Vermont said Barrett and Antidormi played well against the Vikings.
Ties North Reading
The Pioneers began last week tying North Reading 1-1 on Oct. 16.
Carroll scored the Pioneers’ only goal five minutes into the opening frame. Junior midfielder Clara Caulfield had the assist.
The Hornets tied the game 1-1 a minute into the second half.
Gamache had four saves in net against North Reading.
Vermont said Briggs, senior captain/midfielder Ally Sykes, freshman Avery Haney, junior Lily Rocco and junior Ariana Guarracino played strong defensive games against North Reading.
“Our defense played really well,” said Vermont.
Vermont said the Pioneers fought hard against the Hornets. Lynnfield defeated North Reading 2-1 on Sept. 21.
“North Reading is a very good team, and we have a great rivalry with them,” said Vermont. “It was a back-and-forth game that was largely played in the midfield.”
Upcoming games
The Pioneers hosted Pentucket on Tuesday, taking place after deadline. Lynnfield hosts Marblehead on Thursday, Oct. 26, beginning at 4 p.m.