THE LHS boys’ soccer team finished the regular season at 14-2-2 and earn the #2 seed and receive a bye in the Preliminary Round of the MIAA Div. 4 state tournament. They advance to the Round of 16 with a win over Northbridge. For upcoming game details, visit www.miaa.net (LHS Boys’ Soccer Photo)
Update post publication:
Lynnfield defeats Northbridge 1-0. Advances to the Round of 16 and awaits the winner of Millbury vs. Abington
Published November 1, 2023
Boys’ soccer finishes regular season at 14-2-2 after St. Mary’s tie
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNNFIELD — The Lynnfield High boys’ soccer team wrapped up the regular season last Saturday with a 1-1 tie against visiting St. Mary’s of Lynn on an unseasonably warm, sunny, windy day.
With that non-league result, the Pioneers ended the season at 14-2-2 overall.
St. Mary’s (12-2-3) is one division higher that the Pioneers as the Spartans are in Division 3.
“It was a great tune-up for the states for both teams,” said Pioneers head coach Brent Munroe. “They have a very good team and pressured us late in the second half so I was happy to get the tie.”
The Spartans goal was scored by Kaya Jackson on a free kick 10 minutes into the second half.
“It was a great kick by him,” acknowledged Munroe.
Lynnfield tied it three minutes later as Brendan Sokop got fouled in the box and Joel Anthony connected on the penalty kick.
Pioneers goal-keeper, Kelan Cardinal, made six saves to go to 14-2-2
“He made some big stops,” said Munroe.
In their final Cape Ann League game of the season on Oct. 24, the Pioneers blanked host Pentucket 5-0 up in West Newbury.
Lynnfield swept the Panthers this fall as they won 6-0 back on Sept. 26 in the first meeting.
“They are a rebuilding team and we played well,” said Munroe, whose squad led, 3-0, at the half.
Dillon Reilly, who missed the two previous games due to an ankle injury, made a big splash with his return with two goals and three assists. The three assists were a career-high.
“It was nice to have him back,” stated Munroe, as Reilly is the team’s top scorer.
Reilly assisted on the game’s first goal scored by Dhimitri Dono. He then assisted on the second goal, which was scored by Tyler Maddocks.
Reilly had the third goal and that was assisted by his younger brother, Brendan, who is a freshman.
Brendan then scored his second goal of the afternoon in the second half along with Dillon’s second tally as the Reilly brothers accounted for seven points overall in this match.
Cardinal only had to make one save to post his 13th shutout of the year.
Lynnfield finished at 13-1-1 in the CAL with the victory.
The Cape Ann League Kinney Division champions will find out on Nov. 1 who they will open with in the first round of the MIAA Division 4 state tournament.
Lynnfield entered this week seeded 3rd as they will get to host the winner of a preliminary game (date, time and opponent unknown as of press time).