Girls’ soccer kicks off 2020 season
Published October 14, 2020
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — It’s a whole new world for the girls’ soccer team.
The Pioneers returned to the field last week, and opened the 2020 Cape Ann League season with a 1-1 record. Lynnfield concluded last season with a 13-3-3 record, and won the CAL Kinney Division title. Unfortunately, the second seeded Pioneers fell 3-1 to 18th seed Pentucket in a Division 1 North first round contest.
Last fall seems like a distant memory for the Pioneers, who are hoping to make some noise in the CAL. The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association hit the brakes on any postseason tournaments due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but the CAL agreed to proceed with a regular season.
“The kids are very happy to be out on the field and I am happy to be back coaching,” said Pioneers head coach Mark Vermont.
Four senior captains will be leading the Pioneers this season: Forward Ashley Mitchell, defender Lauren Mitchell, defender Lauren Braconnier and midfielder Julia Colucci.
“All four captains have done a great job leading the team,” said Vermont. “They have worked incredibly hard to get us to this point. Ashley and Lauren played very well for us the last few years. Lauren Braconnier is a great defender and Julia has been real solid in the middle for us.”
Senior Lindsay Nardone will be starting in net for the Pioneers this fall.
“Lindsay has been doing a nice job for us,” said Vermont.
Senior Kiera Burns will be playing a key role in the midfield for the Pioneers.
“Kiera is aggressive and brings lots of energy,” said Vermont.
Senior Emily Goguen is playing forward for the Pioneers once again this fall.
“Emily plays really well with her back to goal,” said Vermont.
Senior Erin Sharkey will be helping anchor the Pioneers’ backline.
“Erin had a great preseason and is a great communicator,” said Vermont. “She is doing a nice job controlling things in the back.”
Seniors Michelle Miller and Jenna Brodigan will also be playing defense for the Pioneers this fall.
“Michelle had a good preseason and is always stepping up to win balls,” said Vermont. “Jenna works hard and does a nice job for us.”
The Pioneers are also welcoming back junior forward Audri Parisi.
“Audri is very quick,” said Vermont. “She can shoot with either foot.”
Junior Anna Radulski will be playing midfield once again.
“Anna does a great job controlling the midfield,” said Vermont. “She has a great shot.”
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the MIAA and CAL implemented a number of rule changes this fall for all sports, which include requiring all athletes to wear masks while playing games and practices. The new soccer rules prohibit headers and making body contact. Slide tackles are also prohibited. All indirect kicks including corner kicks must be played on the ground except for goal kicks. There are also no throw-ins and traditional defensive “walls” are prohibited during any restart.
“We are trying our best to play soccer,” said Vermont. “We are going to let the referees make the calls.”
Vermont said team chemistry is the Pioneers’ biggest strength this season.
“The chemistry has been very good,” said Vermont. “We move the ball very well.”
Begins season at .500
The Pioneers opened the 2020 season defeating Manchester-Essex 1-0 on Oct. 8.
Parisi scored the only goal of the contest on a free kick with 10 minutes remaining in the game.
“Audri played very well,” said Vermont.
Vermont said Nardone played well in the back for the Pioneers.
“Lindsay stopped a couple of big shots for us,” said Vermont.
Vermont was thrilled the Pioneers were finally back playing soccer.
“It was great to be playing again and the win was just a bonus,” said Vermont. “We moved the ball well and did a great job controlling the ball. We just needed to shoot more.”
The Pioneers fell 1-0 to archrival North Reading on Oct. 10.
The Hornets scored its only goal of the game on a breakaway 18:54 into the first half.
“We didn’t have a lot of opportunities,” said Vermont. “We played better during the second half, but we didn’t utilize the space on the field.”
The Pioneers faced Ipswich on Monday, Oct. 12, taking place after deadline. Lynnfield hosts Amesbury on Wednesday, Oct. 14, beginning at 3:45 p.m. The Pioneers host Hamilton-Wenham on Saturday, Oct. 17, beginning at 3 p.m.