THE LHS field hockey team started their season with a 2-0 win over Triton. After two close losses, Lynnfield will look to rebound on Wednesday when they visit Hamilton-Wenham. The Pioneers host Ipswich on Monday at 4 p.m. (LHS Field Hockey Photo)
Update post publication:
Lynnfield defeats Ipswich 3-0 (Sept. 18)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNNFIELD — Last fall, the Lynnfield High field hockey team reached the MIAA Division 4 Round of 8 game before losing to Monomoy, 2-0.
Overall, they finished at 13-8.
In the Cape Ann League, they went 9-5 as came in third place in the CAL Kinney Division behind Newburyport and Triton.
Six players from that team graduated, including three CAL All-Stars, (Julia Carbone, Ava Marotta and Charlotte Radulski) but fourth-year head coach Samantha Pindara did welcome back 11 veterans when fall practice started on Aug. 21.
“We lost some staples but we bring back a mature defense and, overall, it looks promising,” said Pindara.
The three captains this year are seniors Melissa Caprio (midfielder), Maddie Sieve (defenseman) and Maddie Mastrangelo (defenseman).
The other seniors back are Hannah Doyle (defenseman), Sophia Fiorentino (forward), Casey Flynn (defenseman), Chloe Kustka (forward), Hailey Mihalchik (midfielder), and Alexa Petrucelli (midfielder).
Gia Marotta (midfielder) and Taylor Valiton (forward) are the two juniors back. Marotta is the team’s top returning scorer.
The new goalie, replacing Radulski, will be junior Lauren MacDonald who was the junior varsity goalie last season.
Lynnfield scrimmaged Masconomet and Reading in the pre-season and they also hosted the CAL Jamboree on Aug. 27.
The Pioneers are slated to play a 20-game regular season schedule, which is two more games than last year.
On Monday afternoon, Lynnfield was edged by host Essex Tech 2-1 up in Danvers. With that result, the Pioneers record dipped to 1-2 overall and in the Cape Ann League.
“We knew going in that they were going to be good because we saw them in the pre-season,” explained Pioneers head coach Samantha Pindara. “We came out flat but it was pretty even starting later in the second quarter.”
The Hawks, who are in third inaugural season in the CAL this year, scored seven minutes into the game and made it, 2-0, five minutes into the second quarter.
The lone Lynnfield tally came with just over six minutes remaining in the first half off a corner. Izzy Fiorentino had the goal assisted by Lauren Mattia.
However, the Pioneers couldn’t put home the game-tying tally.
Lauren MacDonald fell to 1-2 in net as the junior goalie made four saves.
Lynnfield had six corners while the Hawks had just one.
On Friday, the Pioneers lost 2-0 at home to Newburyport. .
“They were good last year and will be competitive again this year,” said Pindara, about the Clippers.
Both goals came in the opening half Oliva Wilson had the first one assisted by Sophia Leben, Delaney Woekel had the other one with the assist going to Ciara Geraghty
Pindara thought that seniors Melissa Caprio (midfielder) and Casey Flynn (defenseman) played solid games. Caprio is a co-captain.
MacDonald made six saves in that game.
On a hot, humid day on Sept. 6, the Pioneers won their season opener, 2-0, over guest Triton.
Lynnfield scored in the first and third quarters.
Junior midfielder, Gia Marotta, had the first-quarter goal and that was unassisted.
Sophia Fiorentino had the other goal and that one was assisted by Taylor Valiton.
MacDonald, in her varsity debut, made four stops to pick up the win.
“We came out excited,” said Pindara. “We played composed and smart.”
Lynnfield looks to get back to the .500 mark on Wednesday as they visit Hamilton-Wenham. The Pioneers then host Ipswich on Sept. 18.
Both of those games will start at 4 p.m.