After press time:
Lynnfield defeats Manchester Essex 2-1 (Oct. 8)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NEWBURYPORT — The Lynnfield High boys’ soccer team was looking for a season sweep of Newburyport when they visited them on Oct. 2 as the Pioneers beat them, 1-0, back on Sept. 5.
However, the Clippers were able to get a 1-1 draw with a late goal.
With that result, the Pioneers’ record went to 8-1-3 overall and 7-0-2 in the Cape Ann League. The Clippers, meanwhile went to 3-4-2 overall and in the CAL.
“It is always a competitive match when we go against them,” said Pioneers head coach Brent Munroe. “That first time we faced them was a tough one as well. They are certainly much better than their record shows.”
With a little more than two minutes left in the first half, the Pioneers struck first as Tyler Maddocks scored assisted by Rocco Scenna
“He had a nice shot in the upper corner of the net,” said Munroe.
The Clippers tied it up with just over one minute remaining in the game as Noah Mercer scored.
“It was a good shot by him, but it was still disappointing to give up the lead,” said Munroe.
Lynnfield goalie, Kelan Cardinal, made nine stops to go to 8-1-3 in net.
The day before the tie, the Pioneers rolled over visiting Triton by a final of 5-1 in their Kicks For Cancer Game that supports the fight against breast cancer.
Lynnfield was able to complete the season sweep over the Vikings this fall as they won the first matchup, 5-0, back on Sept. 3 in the season-opener.
The Pioneers scored once in the opening half and then erupted for four goals in the second half.
“We hit the post four times in the first half,” pointed out Munroe. “We were able to finish those plays off in the second half.”
Late in the first half, Matt Reinold scored, unassisted.
Scenna then made it 2-0 five minutes into the second half assisted by Ollie Morgan.
Scenna then scored the next two goals, both unassisted, to record his first-career hat trick. His goals came in the 12th and 19th minute to make it 4-0.
“He has been fantastic this year,” stated Munroe, about the junior forward. “With Dillon (Reilly) out, he has really stepped up.”
Scenna is the team’s top scorer so far with 11 goals in 12 games.
The final LHS tally cane with 13 minutes left as junior, Sam Curley, scored his first career goal and that one was also unassisted.
The Vikings scored with just over four minutes left to avoid the shutout.
Cardinal had two saves in that contest.
The next game will be a huge one for the team as they visit rival North Reading on Oct. 15 with first place in the CAL Kinney Division on the line.
The teams had a scoreless tie in the first meeting back on Sept. 19.
Lynnfield entered this week ranked third in the MIAA Division 4 power rankings.