Post publication update:
Lynnfield ties Ipswich 1-1 (Sept. 25)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNNFIELD — On Monday afternoon, the Lynnfield High boys’ soccer team rolled over Pentucket, 5-1, at home on a warm, sunny day. With that victory, the Pioneers’ record improved to 5-1-2 overall and 4-1-2 in the Cape Ann League.
“I was very pleased,” said Pioneers head coach Brent Munroe. “They have a good team but we handled them pretty well.”
Lynnfield took command of this game in the opening half as they went to the break leading 4-1.
In the seventh minute, Ollie Morgan scored assisted by John Powers.
Seven minutes later, Rocco Scenna made it 2-0 with an unassisted tally.
Scenna then assisted on Brendan Reilly’s goal in the 26th minute to make it 3-0.
Three minutes later, the Panthers got on the scoreboard but, in the final minute of the first half, Scenna scored again to get the momentum back.
That goal was assisted by Sam Curley.
Reilly scored the lone goal of the second stanza in the eighth minute with Morgan assisting.
Pioneers senior goalkeeper, Dino Gesamondo, made one save to go to 4-1-2 as he played the first 60 minutes.
Kellen Farias was the goalkeeper the final 20 minutes and he also made one save as LHS dominated the territorial play.
On Sept. 18, the Pioneers lost, 1-0, at North Reading in a night game.
“I was happy with our team,” said Munroe, despite the defeat. “It was a very even game and they are having another great year.”
The Hornets scored the lone goal with a little over 12 minutes left in the game.
Playing a great opponent at night was a good experience for his squad according to Munroe.
“It was a real playoff atmosphere. We had some good chances including hitting the post twice in the first half.”
Gesamondo turned back eight shots on net.
Munroe was also happy with the play of Scenna and fellow co-captain, Mohammed Ayari.
On Sept. 16, the Pioneers nipped guest Hamilton-Wenham, 2-1.
“This was a big win and we had to come back in this one,” said Munroe.
Nate Zalvan was the hero scoring the game-winning goal with just over two minutes left in the game. Scenna assisted.
The Generals scored the first goal early in the opening half.
Ayari tied it with a little over five minutes remaining in the half on a 25-yard shot that found the high-right corner.
Gesamondo made a season-high 12 saves.
“That was Dino’s best game of the year,” stated Munroe.
On Sept. 25, the Pioneers visit Ipswich at 4 p.m. They then host Newburyport on Sept. 30 also at 4 p.m.
Lynnfield is looking for the season sweep against the Clippers as they edged them, 2-1, in the season opener.