Kennedy runs wild as Lynnfield soccer advances

PEABODY – For the second straight year, the Lynnfield boys soccer team advanced to the Division 1 North soccer final.The Pioneers achieved that honor Friday. Their stifling defense, along with three goals by all-everything Mike Kennedy, helped defeat Bishop Fenwick, 4-1, in the sectional semifinal at the Crusaders’ home field.The Pioneers play Greater Lowell Monday at Cawley Stadium in Lowell (Time TBA) in the sectional final.Last year, the Pioneers made it to the state final, losing to Bartlett, 1-0.”Our defense played terrific,” said Lynnfield coach Brent Munroe. “And, of course, Mike was terrific too. He almost always is.”We limited them to very few opportunities,” Munroe said, “And we played most of the game in their end. And Mike’s tough to stop when that happens.”The Pioneers spotted the Crusaders a 1-0 lead, but came roaring back to score four unanswered goals to defeat the eighth-seeded Crusaders.Senior striker Mike Kennedy single-handily willed and carried the Pioneers to the win.In the 21st minute, Fenwick jumped out to the lead on a long pass into the middle of the area from the right wing by Doug Garabedian that found Mark Price in the six-yard box. Price deflected it past Lynnfield keeper Andrew Leader.For the next 50 minutes, it was the Kennedy show, as Fenwick couldn’t do anything to slow him down.Kennedy took a through-ball and was in alone on Fenwick keeper Brian McConnell and his shot was just wide. One minute before the half ended, he took a through pass from Phil Knox, went down the left side of the area and blasted a low shot left footed to the short side just inside the post, tying the score at 1-1.The second half started with Kennedy on a rampage. In the 45th minute he came into the middle of the area and hit another left-footed shot from 15 yards out to make the score 2-1, Lynnfield.He saved the highlight reel for his third goal of the night and 33rd of his career. He got the ball in his half of the field, split two defenders and was in alone on the keeper from 50 yards out. He faked out the keeper leaving him sprawled on the turf as he waltzed into the net all alone to give the Pioneers a 3-1 lead.”He’s the Cape Ann League Player of the Year for a reason,” Fenwick coach Dave Mitchell said. “They’re a very good team.In the 72nd minute, Lynnfield finished the scoring for the night when A J Johnson fed Phil Knox for an easy deflection to push the final score to 4-1. The subs finished the game for both teams.”I’m extremely proud of our team,” Mitchell said. “We didn’t have one superstar racking up points. The kids really adapted well to the system we put in place.”