After press time:
Lynnfield defeats Newburyport 1-0 (Oct. 11)
Lynnfield defeats North Andover 2-1 (Oct. 9)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNNFIELD — On Oct. 5, the Lynnfield High field hockey hosted Sutton in a non-league test to get a tune-up for the postseason. The visiting Sammies ended up winning the game 2-0 to go to 9-0.
“We outplayed them in the first half but we got had some mental mistakes in the second half,” said Pioneers head coach Kerri Doherty, whose team fell to 5-2-2.
After a scoreless opening half, the Sammies scored early in the third quarter off a corner.
They scored their other goal later on in the third.
Lynnfield goalie, Lauren MacDonald, made seven stops in net.
“That is a team we could see in the tournament,” pointed out Doherty, as her squad is ranked 6th in the MIAA Division 4 power rankings that came out earlier this week. Sutton, meanwhile, is ranked 3rd.
The news was much better on Oct. 3 as the Pioneers blanked visiting Chelmsford, 2-0, in another non-league contest.
Both Pioneers goals came in the first half.
In the first quarter, Lauren Mattia scored off a corner assisted by Taylor Valiton and Gia Marotta with seven seconds remaining.
Valiton had the second goal off a rebound from the Lions goalkeeper with 3:11 left in the second quarter.
MacDonald had seven saves on the day earning her third shutout of the season.
Doherty was pleased with the play of Marotta who she felt dominated the midfield along with Lily Alves anchoring the defense.
The game at Rockport scheduled for Oct. 7 was postponed due to the weather and will be made up on Columbus Day next Monday at 9:30 p.m.
On Oct. 9, the Pioneers host North Andover at 6 p.m. in the Play for a Cure Game to support the fight against breast cancer.
There will be raffles and other things going on that evening as Doherty is hoping for a huge turnout.
The Pioneers will wear special pink uniforms and the Lynnfield youth field hockey program will also be there as special guests.
On Oct. 11, the Pioneers return to CAL play as they host Newburyport at 4 p.m.
Lynnfield is looking for a season split against the Clippers as Newburyport won the first meeting, 2-1, back on Sept. 6.