By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNNFIELD — The season came to an end in heartbreaking fashion for the Lynnfield High girls’ soccer team last Friday evening as they were edged, 3-2, in overtime by visiting Auburn at Pioneer Stadium in the MIAA Division 3 state tournament Round of 16.
Zhunay Moulton was the hero for the Rockets scoring the game-winner in the first minute of the overtime session on a partial breakaway.
“It was a tough way to lose,” admitted Pioneers head coach Mark Vermont. “We had some good chances and couldn’t score but they were able to capitalize on their chances.”
With the defeat, the 6th-seeded Pioneers ended the year at 14-3-3. Meanwhile, the 11th-seeded Rockets improved to 12-7-1 and will visit Norwell on Wednesday afternoon in the quarterfinals.
Things started off well for Lynnfield as Ava Damiani scored in the ninth minute assisted by Adriana Regidano.
Auburn tied it in the 20th minute as Emma Bohdiewicz found the back of the Pioneer net.
The score stayed that way until the fifth minute of the second half as Bella Sykes 25-yard shot found the top shelf for a 2-1 lead. Hannah Doherty assisted.
Auburn ended up tying it up again on a rebound off a corner kick five minutes later to set up Moulton’s overtime heroics.
Lynnfield goalkeeper, Victoria Minor, made six saves.
On Nov. 5, the Pioneers blanked guest Old Rochester, 5-0, in the first round.
Damiani scored the first goal in the 18th minute assisted by Kaylee Barrett. One minute later, Barrett made it 2-0 with the assist going to Doherty.
The backbreaking goal for the Bulldogs, according to Vermont, was when LHS made it 3-0 just 45 seconds into the second half as Damiani scored assisted by Doherty.
“That was a key goal,” stated Vermont. “It is so tough to come back from a three-goal deficit and to score that quickly into the second half was great for us.”
Barrett netted her second goal in the 51st minute assisted by Sykes and Bella Pascucci
In the 70th-minute, Barrett was able to notch her second hat trick of the year with Damiani assisting for the game’s final tally.
“Her and Ava have very good chemistry together,” pointed out Vermont. “She is a very strong finisher around the net.”
Minor made three stops in net.
With the loss, the 27th-seeded Bulldogs ended the year at 15-6-1.
