THE GIRLS’ SOCCER TEAM’S six seniors, from left, captain/defender Keely Briggs, forward Catie Kampersal, forward Megan Woods, captain/goalie Ava Gamache, captain/midfielder Ally Sykes and defender Addie Connelly had plenty of reasons to smile after defeating Essex Tech 4-0 on Senior Night on Oct. 14. (Jamie Hayman Photo)
Update post publication:
Lynnfield defeats Amesbury 4-1 (Oct. 20)
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The girls’ soccer team qualified for the Division 4 state tournament after winning both of its games last week.
“It’s a great accomplishment,” said Pioneers head coach Mark Vermont. “Our first goal is always qualifying for the tournament. We have to keep working hard to get better before the tournament begins.”
The Pioneers (10-2-1) began last week defeating Manchester-Essex 5-1 on Oct. 10.
Junior midfielder Emma Rose gave the Pioneers a 1-0 lead with 13 minutes remaining in the first half. Junior forward Bella Carroll and senior captain/midfielder Ally Sykes had the assists.
The Hornets tied the game 1-1 with 12 minutes remaining in the first half.
Sophomore Bella Sykes gave the Pioneers a 2-1 lead after receiving a pass from junior midfielder Clara Caulfield 10 minutes before the break.
Bella Sykes scored her second goal of the contest with 16 minutes remaining in the game.
Freshman forward Kaylee Barrett gave the Pioneers a 4-1 lead after she buried a shot with 14 minutes remaining in the contest, assisted by Rose and freshman midfielder Giada Antidormi.
Barrett scored her second goal with eight minutes remaining in the game. Bella Sykes had the assist.
Senior captain Ava Gamache tallied four saves in net against Manchester-Essex.
Vermont said the Pioneers played very well against Essex Tech.
“We did a nice job finishing the chances that we had,” said Vermont. “Bella Sykes and Kaylee Barrett came up big for us by each scoring two goals. Senior captain Keely Briggs played a great defensive game. She created a lot of problems for Manchester-Essex.”
Defeats Essex Tech
The Pioneers defeated Essex Tech 4-0 on Oct. 14.
Carroll gave Lynnfield an early 2-0 lead after burying a shot two minutes into the opening frame, assisted by Rose.
Bella Sykes scored the Pioneers’ second goal off of a header with 10 minutes remaining in the first half. Rose had the assist after nailing a corner kick.
Carroll scored her second goal three minutes into the second half, assisted by senior forward Catie Kampersal.
Sophomore midfielder Hannah Ozanian scored Lynnfield’s final goal of the contest with 19 minutes remaining in the game. Freshman forward Ava Damiani had the assist.
Gamache recorded three saves in net against the Hawks.
The Pioneers honored Ally Sykes, Briggs, Gamache, Kampersal and fellow seniors Addie Connelly and Megan Woods during a Senior Night ceremony held at halftime.
“The seniors did a nice job setting the tone out there,” said Vermont. “Megan Woods and Addie Connelly both played well defensively. Catie did a nice job on the outside. Ally and Keely did a great job locking everything down in the back, and Ava came up big with the shutout. Senior Night is always a big night for us, and the team responded well.”
Upcoming games
The Pioneers faced North Reading on Monday, Oct. 16, taking place after deadline. Lynnfield travels to Rockport on Wednesday, Oct. 18, beginning at 6 p.m. The Pioneers host Amesbury on Friday, Oct. 20, beginning at 4 p.m.