Updates after press time:
Lynnfield falls to Pentucket 21-17 (April 17)
Lynnfield falls to Manchester Essex 12-6 (April 15)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNNFIELD — On April 10, the Lynnfield High girls’ lacrosse team lost, 13-6, at home to Ipswich. With that result, the Pioneers fell to 2-5 overall and 1-2 in the Cape Ann League.
The undefeated Tigers, meanwhile, improved to 4-0 overall and 3-0 in the league.
“We dug ourselves a big hole in the first quarter and that hurt us,” said Pioneers head coach Christina Serra. “We played them pretty even the final three quarters.”
Ipswich jumped out to a 6-0 lead after the first quarter and were up 7-1 at halftime.
In the second stanza, the Pioneers were only outscored by one goal, 6-5.
Hayden Valiton led the Pioneer attack with four goals while Ava Damiani had two goals and one assist. Clara Caulfield and Alex Schmidt both chipped in one assist.
The Tigers face-guarded Taylor Valiton and were able to keep her off the scoreboard for the first time this year.
“They did a good job defending her,” acknowledged Serra.
Olivia Sylvester was the Pioneer goalie in this one as she had six saves.
Allie Wile led the Tigers with four goals and two assists.
The day before, the Pioneers edged guest Masconomet, 9-8, in a non-league game.
Lynnfield never trailed as they led 6-4 at the half.
The Chieftains tied the game at 8-8 early in the fourth quarter but Hayden Valiton got the game-winning goal with just over five minutes left.
“I was very happy with the way we held the lead late,” said Serra. “It was a close game throughout, but we managed to pull it out.”
The Valiton sisters each had three goals and one assist each. Damiani had the other three goals and she also led the team in assists with three.
Jordan Calichman also had one assist.
Sylvester notched her first-ever varsity win in net as she had seven stops.
On Thursday, the Pioneers visit Pentucket at 4 p.m.
On Patriots Day morning, the Pioneers host Melrose in a non-league game. That contest will start at 9 a.m.