JUNIOR MIDFIELDER/DEFENDER Morgan Hubbard (1) had an assist during the fourth seeded girls’ soccer team’s 9-0 win over Sturgis Charter East during a Division 4 state tournament Round of 32 contest on Nov. 5. (Jamie Hayman Photo)
Update post publication:
Lynnfield defeats #13 Rockland 4-1 and advances to the Elite 8.
Lynnfield defeats #5 Hamilton-Wenham 4-0 (Nov. 11)
Lynnfield falls to #1 South Hadley 4-3 (2 OT/PK’s) – Nov. 14
Published November 8, 2023
Girls’ soccer crushes Sturgis in D4 tourney opener
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The girls’ soccer team is headed to the Sweet 16 after the fourth seeded Pioneers crushed 36th seed Sturgis Charter East 9-0 during a Division 4 state tournament Round of 32 contest held at Pioneer Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 5.
“It was a great team win,” said Pioneers head coach Mark Vermont. “The girls worked very hard and played very well.”
Lynnfield jumped out to a 1-0 lead when junior midfielder Clara Caulfield scored eight minutes into the first half after receiving a pass from freshman midfielder Giada Antidormi.
Junior forward Bella Carroll gave the Pioneers a 2-0 lead after she buried a shot at 26:41 of the first half. Sophomore midfielder Hannah Ozanian had the assist.
Caulfield scored her second goal of the contest at 23:23 of the opening frame, assisted by junior midfielder Emma Rose.
Rose gave the Pioneers a 4-0 lead after finding the back of the net at 19:49 of the first half. Junior defender Lily Rocco had the assist.
“Clara and Emma both played very well,” said Vermont. “Both of them had been out for a little awhile. It was great that Clara had two goals and an assist, and it was great that Emma scored a goal and had an assist.”
Freshman forward Ava Damiani nailed a shot at 15:11 of the first half, assisted by sophomore forward/midfielder Bella Sykes.
Antidormi found the back of the net with 7:15 remaining in the first half.
Bella Sykes drilled a shot three minutes before halftime, which gave Lynnfield a 7-0 lead at the break.
Freshman forward Kaylee Barrett gave the Pioneers an 8-0 lead at 26:38 of the second half. Damiani had the assist.
Freshman Jordan Calichman scored her first varsity goal with 12 minutes remaining in the game, assisted by junior midfielder/defender Morgan Hubbard.
“Jordan was called up from the JV team for the tournament,” said Vermont. “It was great that she scored her first varsity goal.”
Senior captain Ava Gamache tallied one save in the cage against Sturgis Charter East.
Vermont said senior captain Ally Sykes, senior captain Keely Briggs, senior Addie Connelly, junior Katie Connelly and junior Ella Hayman played great defensive games for the Pioneers.
“Our defense really locked Sturgis down,” said Vermont.
In addition to Caulfield and Rose, Vermont said Antidormi, Hubbard and Bella Sykes played great games in the midfield.
“Our midfield did a nice job,” said Vermont.
Vermont said the Pioneers played very well against Sturgis Charter East.
“It was great that we scored nine goals,” said Vermont. “We came out strong in the beginning, which was the goal. We kept moving the ball and we finished the chances that we were given.”
The Pioneers will face 13th seed Rockland on Wednesday, Nov. 8, beginning at 4 p.m. at Pioneer Stadium. Rockland defeated 20th seed Bellingham 1-0 on Monday night.
All-stars announced
Five members of the Pioneers were named Cape Ann League All-Stars this fall.
Vermont said Carroll was named CAL Kinney Division Player of the Year and was also named a CAL First-Team All-Star. She was selected as an Eastern Massachusetts All-Star and an All-State player as well.
“It’s well-deserved,” said Vermont. “Bella has been working hard for us. She has been making good runs and has done a great job moving the ball. She finished the regular season with 20 goals and six assists. She is doing a great job and has been stepping up for us.”
Vermont said Ally Sykes and Briggs were named CAL First-Team All-Stars. He said Ally Sykes was named as an Eastern Massachusetts First-Team All-Star and Briggs was named as an Eastern Massachusetts Second-Team All-Star.
“I am very happy for Ally and Keely,” said Vermont. “Ally is such an engine for us, and Keely is a relentless and tireless worker. Both of them have had great seasons.”
Vermont said Gamache and Rose were named CAL Second-Team All-Stars.
“Ava and Emma have done a great job this year,” said Vermont. “Ava has made some key saves and solidifies the back for us. Emma had 18 assists in the regular season, which was huge for us. She does a great job setting up other players us and moving the ball.”