TYLER MADDOCKS had a season-high 17 face-off wins in Lynnfield’s 17-9 win over Pentucket on April 17. (Shlok Kudrimoti Photo)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNNFIELD — On April 17, the Lynnfield High boys’ lacrosse team rolled over Pentucket, 17-9, at home. With that win, the Pioneers improved to 6-2 overall and 5-1 in the Cape Ann League.
The Panthers, meanwhile, fell to 3-4 overall and 2-4 in the CAL.
Pentucket scored the first two goals of the afternoon but the Pioneers outscored them, 8-4, the rest of the first half to go up by two.
In the third quarter, the Pioneers took control.
“It was a combination of us winning a lot of face-offs in that quarter and Ben (Pimentel) coming up big in net,” said Lynnfield head coach Pat Lamusta.
Pimentel finished with a season-high 17 saves while face-off specialist, Tyler Maddocks, had 17 face-off wins, which was also a season-high.
Owen Considine led the offense with nine points as the senior had four goals and five assists. Paul Daley scored four times while John Powers had three goals and one assist.
Kelan Cardinal finished with five points as he had two goals and three assists while Mike Murphy had two goals and two helpers.
Owen Doherty had one goal and one assist while defenseman, Brendan Driscoll, had one goal, one assist and he tied Murphy for ground balls with four.
“Brendan did a great job clearing the ball,” pointed out Lamusta.
On April 15, also at home, the Pioneers suffered their first CAL loss as they were edged, 9-7, by Manchester-Essex.
“They have a very good goalie and balanced scoring,” said Lamusta, about the Hornets. “They had seven different players score.”
Lynnfield trailed, 5-2, at the half but were able to knot the game at six after the third quarter.
Then, down by one late in the fourth, Pimentel committed a penalty and had to sit out a minute.
The Hornets scored their final goal with just over a minute left with Considine in net.
“It was a tough call,” said Lamusta. “I give Owen a lot of credit for stepping into goal for that penalty.”
Daley and Doherty led the Pioneers with two goals each. Cardinal had a team-high four assists to go with one goal. Powers and Considine each scored once while Murphy had one assist.
Pimentel made 13 saves while Considine had one stop.
“Another key for them is that they won a lot more faceoffs than we did,” said Lamusta.
The Pioneers have the April Vacation Week off this week as they will return to action on April 28 as they visit Amesbury at 4 p.m.