Post publication update:
#9 Lynnfield defeats #24 Bourne 21-8 in the MIAA Div. 4 State Tournament Round of 32 (May 30).
Pioneers advance to play the winner of Littleton vs. Monomoy in the Sweet 16.
For the latest state tournament updates and to view the bracket, click here.
Published May 28, 2025
Second-half surge sends laxmen to win over Masco
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNNFIELD — In their final game of the regular season on May 22, the Lynnfield High boys’ lacrosse team beat Masconomet, 15-12, at home on a rainy, raw day.
With the non-league win, the Pioneers ended up at 12-6 overall as they were also able to snap their four-game losing streak.
“It was a much-needed win heading into the tournament,” stated Lynnfield head coach Pat Lamusta.
The Pioneers trailed, 10-8, at the half as they outscored the Chieftains, 7-2, in the second half.
“Everybody played a role in that second half,” said Lamusta. “That was probably our best second half all year.”
John Powers and Mike Murphy both had four goals while Owen Considine had two goals and two assists. Considine, the team’s top scorer, also had a team-high six ground balls.
Kelan Cardinal and Paul Daley both had two goals and one assist while Owen Doherty had the other tally.
Pioneer goalie, Ben Pimentel, made 15 saves to improve to 12-6.
The day before, the Pioneers lost, 15-6, at Dracut on another rainy chilly day.
“They have a very good team with a lot of upperclassmen,” pointed out Lamusta. “They also play in a very good league (Merrimack Valley Conference).”
The Middies led 5-2 at the half and 8-3 after the third quarter. They then outscored Lynnfield, 7-3, in the final 12 minutes.
Daley had two goals and one assist while Powers also scored twice. Cardinal had one goal and a team-high three assists while Considine had one goal and two helpers.
Pimentel turned back seven Middie shots on net.
Ih their final Cape Ann League game of the season, the Pioneers lost, 15-12, to host Essex Tech up in Danvers.
With that defeat, the Pioneers finished at 9-4 in the league as they finished tied for second place in the CAL Baker Division with Ipswich. Manchester-Essex won the CAL Baker title.
Lynnfield led this game, 11-10, going into the fourth quarter. However, the Hawks outscored them, 5-1, to pull out the win.
Considine led the attack with five goals while Powers and Daley both scored twice. Daley also had two assists to end up with four points.
Cardinal and Murphy both had one goal and two assists while Murphy had a team-high four ground balls.
Brendan Driscoll had three ground balls, one assist and one takeaway.
Pimentel made 10 saves in net.
“We had too many penalties in this game that set us back,” said Lamusta. “Essex Tech was able to convert on almost all of them. We did generate opportunities and getting shots on offense but shot placement needs to be better. Their goalie did a good job. Our defense held up well in the first half, but some longer possessions in the second half made it difficult to get the ball back to the offense. There were opportunities to win the game that we just needed to convert. On the positive side, it was good to be part of a competitive game this close to the playoffs.”
On May 15, the Pioneers lost, 10-9, in overtime to Manchester-Essex on the road.
Trailing, 8-4, heading into the fourth quarter, Lynnfield rallied to knot the game at nine to send it into the overtime session.
Considine had three goals and one assist while Murphy also recorded a hat trick. Cardinal had two goals and two assists while Doherty scored once.
Considine led the team in ground balls with four.
Pimentel turned back nine Hornet shots.
“The players battled back in the fourth with (Tyler) Maddocks winning a series of face-offs and big goals from Murphy and Considine to force overtime,” pointed out Lamusta. “Ultimately, they were able to convert a fast break in overtime to win. Our guys kept at it the whole game versus a good team.”
On May 13, the Pioneers fell to visiting Newburyport, 17-5.
This one was over early as the Clippers stormed out to a commanding, 14-1, lead at the half.
“We had trouble in multiple phases of the game,” admitted Lamusta. “They moved the ball well on offense, so we have to do a better job of matching that defensively. On offense, we did not get enough possessions to have opportunities, so our transition and face-off phases had collateral impact on offense. They have a very good team.”
The Pioneers entered this week ranked 10th in the MIAA Division 4 power rankings. They find out on Wednesday after press time who they will host in the first round which will take place later this week.