Published in the October 18, 2017 edition

JUNIOR MIDFIELDER Jackson Cleary (10) gets a shot off against Triton during the Pioneers’ 4-0 win last Tuesday. Cleary tallied assists in both Monday’s Manchester-Essex and Saturday’s Haverhill games last week. (Dan Pawlowski Photo)

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

 MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA — On Monday afternoon, the Lynnfield High boys’ soccer team was edged 2-1 at Manchester-Essex. With the loss, the Pioneers record dipped to 8-5-3 overall and 6-5-3 in the Cape Ann League.

“We didn’t play well in the first half,” acknowledged Pioneers head coach Brent Munroe. “We did play much better in the second half but couldn’t catch up.”

The Hornets led 1-0 at the half and then scored early in the second half to lead 2-0. John Luders then scored in the 20th-minute of the second half assisted by Jack Cleary but the Pioneers couldn’t get the game-tying tally.

Lynnfield goal keeper Jack Campbell made six saves.

Last Saturday afternoon, the Pioneers shut out host Haverhill 2-0 in a non-league game. That win punched their ticket to the Division 2 state tournament for the second year in a row.

“We played well from start to finish,” recalled Munroe, whose squad swept the season series against the Hillies. “We were very solid.”

Tom Buston scored 12 minutes in, assisted by Tom Hauser. Ten minutes into the second stanza, Luders made it 2-0 with Cleary and Max Sieger both getting credit for the assists.

Campbell only had to make one save to record his sixth shutout of the season.

At North Reading last Thursday afternoon, the Pioneers were nipped, 2-1, as the Hornets were able to split the season series.

“We came out poor in this game as well,” said Munroe, as his team trailed 2-0 at halftime.

Buston had the lone Lynnfield tally, unassisted, with 15 minutes left in the game.

Campbell made eight stops in that game.

On Oct. 10, the Pioneers blanked visiting Triton 4-0 to complete the season sweep over the Vikings.

Luders, who had two goals and one assist, scored the first-half tally. He then made it 2-0 early in the second stanza. Nathan Bass and Buston had the two other goals.

“John has been playing great for us all year,” stated Munroe about his top scorer.

Campbell made two saves in that game.

On Wednesday after the Villager’s deadline, the Pioneers visit Pentucket. They then host Masconomet on Friday. Both of those games will start at 3:45 p.m.

On Oct. 24, the team wraps up the regular season at home against Newburyport. That will be Senior Night with the four Pioneer seniors honored. That game is at 6 p.m.