By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
MATTAPOISETT — The Lynnfield High boys’ soccer team had a long bus ride to Mattipoisett to take on host Old Rochester for their MIAA Division 3 first round game on Nov. 5.
It was an even longer trip back home for the Pioneers as they were shutout 3-0 ending their season.
With that loss, the 26th-seeded Pioneers ended the year at 11-4-5. Meanwhile, the 7th-seeded Bulldogs beat North Reading, 2-1, in the Round of 16 on Saturday to improve to 13-6-2.
They will now face Norwell on Nov. 12 in the quarterfinals.
It was the fourth time this fall the Pioneers were shut out and the Bulldogs’ eighth shutout of the year.
“They are a very good team and they outplayed us,” admitted Pioneers head coach Brent Munroe. “They had the possession most of the game.”
Grady Oliveira and Brendan Foster each had one goal and one assist. Nolan Blanchette had the other Bulldog tally.
In the 17th minute, Foster headed in a a pass by Olivera. With a little over six minutes left in the half, Blanchette had the second goal assisted by Foster. Olivera then scored the final goal early in the second half.
Old Rochester controlled the territorial play as they had 12 shots on net while the Pioneers had just three.
Lynnfield goalkeeper, Dino Gesamondo, made nine saves.
Bulldog goalie Owen Harrington posted the shutout winch was his eighth of the season.
