Published September 25, 2019

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — The girls’ soccer team is riding a four-game winning streak.

The Pioneers (4-2-1) began last week defeating Hamilton-Wenham 1-0 on Sept. 16.

After a scoreless first half that was a defensive battle between both teams, senior Anna Marie Ferrante scored the game-winning goal off a corner kick six minutes into the second half.

“It was a great goal,” said Pioneers head coach Mark Vermont.

Senior Amberly McCarter tallied six saves in net against Hamilton-Wenham and came up in the clutch when the Pioneers needed it most.

“Amberly had a great save at the end of the game,” said Vermont. “A player from Hamilton-Wenham just ripped the ball and Amberly had a great diving save.”

TWIN SISTERS Lauren (16) and Ashley (3) Mitchell helped the girls’ soccer team defeat Newburyport 4-1 on Sept. 18. Ashley scored a goal and had an assist against the Clippers. (John Friberg Photo)

Vermont said the Pioneers played a great all-around game against the Generals.

“The team played well,” said Vermont. “Tori Morelli, Anna Maria Ferrante and Julia Colucci played well in the midfield. Lauren Mitchell, Lauren Braconnier and Liz Sykes played a great defensive game. Sophomore Anna Radulski had a nice game in the midfield. She won a lot of balls in the air.”

Clips Newburyport

The Pioneers kept rolling and pounded rival Newburyport 4-1 on Sept. 18.

Radulski scored Lynnfield’s first goal eight minutes into the first half off a corner kick. Junior Ashley Mitchell had the assist.

Newburyport knotted the score at one 15 minutes into the first half. The game was tied 1-1 at the break.

Sophomore Adrianna Parisi gave the Pioneers a 2-1 lead after deflecting a shot off a corner kick 14 minutes into the second half. Radulski was credited with the assist.

Senior captain Abby Lucich gave the locals a 3-1 lead after burying a shot with 13 minutes remaining in the contest, assisted by Ashley Mitchell.

Ashley Mitchell found the back of the net with eight minutes remaining in the game after being set up by Ferrante.

Vermont noted the Pioneers had nine corner kicks in the game while the Clippers attempted only one.

“We have always had a great rivalry with Newburyport,” said Vermont. “It was a much closer game than the score indicated.”

Defeats Pentucket

The Pioneers concluded last week defeating Pentucket 2-1 on Sept. 20.

The Sachems jumped out to an early 1-0 lead 11 minutes into the first half.

Braconnier, a junior, tied the game at one after scoring on a free kick with five minutes remaining in the first half.

Junior Emily Gogen scored the game-winning goal with 18 minutes remaining in the game after being set up by Ashley Mitchell and senior Emma Ricciardi.

“Emily has been working very hard for us,” said Vermont.

McCarter tallied eight saves between the pipes against the Sachems.

“Amberly had some nice saves,” said Vermont. “Pentucket is fast up top and that caused us a lot of trouble.”

Vermont said the Pioneers’ did a good job overcoming adversity against Pentucket.

“We could have done a better job communicating at the beginning of the game,” said Vermont. “In the second half, we started to win more of the one-on-one battles and were more physical. I think that was the difference in the game.”

Upcoming games

The Pioneers traveled to Georgetown on Tuesday, Sept. 24, taking place after deadline.

Lynnfield travels to Newburyport on Thursday, Sept. 26, beginning at 3:45 p.m.

The Pioneers are back home on Wednesday, Oct. 2, where they will face Amesbury at 3:45 p.m.