ALEX GENTILE (4) scored both goals in Lynnfield’s huge win over rival North Reading on Monday. The Pioneers are currently ranked 15th in the MIAA’s latest Div. 3 Power Rankings. (File Photo)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — On a wet, cool day on Monday afternoon, the Lynnfield High boys soccer team edged host North Reading by a final of 2-1. With that victory, the Pioneers were able to sweep the season series over their rival Hornets.
“It was a big win for us,” stated Pioneers head coach Brent Munroe. “They outplayed us but we were able to hold on.”
Alex Gentile scored the game’s first goal 10 minutes in and that was unassisted. Early in the second half, the Hornets tied it off a rebounded shot.
Gentile had the game-winning goal with just over 11 minutes left as his header off a corner kick went inside the wide post. Tyler Maddocks had the assist with the corner kick.
The Hornets created several good chances to tie late but goalie Kelan Cardinal (12 saves) came up clutch.
With that win, the Pioneers record went to 10-3-3 overall and 8-2-2 in the Cape Ann League. They stayed in second place in the CAL Kinney Division behind undefeated Newburyport.
Last Friday afternoon, the Pioneers fell to guest Masconomet, 3-1, in a non-league game.
Things started off well as Gentile scored in the first minute assisted by Henry Caulfield.
However, the Chieftains tied it on an own goal late in the first half as the ball went off a Pioneer defender into the net. In the final minute of the first half, Gabe Fales scored assisted by Jack Wexler .
The final Chieftain goal came with less than two minutes remaining in the game as Gavin Dupuis scored assisted by Jack Fiedler.
“They are one of the top teams in their division and they have always had a great program,” said Munroe, as Masco left the CAL last year to go to the Northeastern Conference. “We will continue to play them once each year.”
The Division 2 Chieftains, who are one division higher that the Pioneers, improved to 12-2.
The day before the Masco loss, the Pioneers blanked visiting Triton, 5-0, to complete the season sweep over the Vikings in a game they led, 4-0, at halftime.
“They have been struggling this year,” said Munroe, about the winless Vikings (0-14 overall and 0-12 in the CAL).
Gentile and Dillon Reilly both scored twice while junior, Cole Manfredonia, scored his first-career goal.
Cardinal played only the first half in net and had one stop while freshman, Dino Gesamondo, made his season debut in net and made one save in the second half.
Lynnfield’s next game is Oct. 21 as they visit Manchester-Essex at 4 p.m. They wrap up the regular season on Oct. 25 as they go to Pentucket looking for the season sweep over the Panthers.
That contest will also start at 4 p.m.
Entering this week, the Pioneers were ranked 15th by the MIAA power rankings in Division 3. The top 32 schools at the end of the season automatically qualify for the states.