Lynnfield boys soccer repeats as D3 North champion

LOWELL – The postseason ride for the Lynnfield boys soccer team continues.After defeating Bishop Fenwick Friday night, the Pioneers continued on their merry way Monday, knocking off a very strong Greater Lowell team, 2-1, at Cawley Stadium.Like Friday night, when Pioneer senior striker Mike Kennedy had his way with the Fenwick defense with a hat trick, he had both goals Monday in the come-from-behind victory.Lynnfield arrived in the North final as the 12th seed with a 12-6-2 record. Greater Lowell was No. 6 (13-4-4).The Pioneers, who won their second straight Division 3 North title, are back in Lowell Wednesday (5 p.m.) against either Pembroke or East Bridgewater in the state semifinal (site and time TBA).Lynnfield coach Brent Munroe had some knowledge of Greater Lowell from watching the Gryphons play Hamilton-Wenham (a team that beat the Pioneers during the season) in the regional semifinals.”They are highly skilled as individuals, and play very well together as a team,” Munroe said. “Their center-midfielder and sweeper are in a class by themselves.”The keeper, Yorlin Grajales, roamed the area cutting down many through balls before the Hamilton-Wenham strikers could get to them.”Greater Lowell struck first in the seventh minute. Brandon Jeski, a sophomore defender, sent a high pass in towards the Lynnfield area. The Pioneer keeper made his only mistake of the game, when he came off his line to try to play the high pass.Before he could get to it, freshman Chris Morlock chipped it over the keeper and the ball floated 15 yards into an empty Lynnfield net.The next 24 minutes were played between the areas, with neither team getting any really good scoring chances. In the 31st minute, Lynnfield was fouled about four yards outside the arc – about 25 yards from the goal.The Gryphon keeper set his wall 10 yards from the dangerous Kennedy, who was taking the shot. Kennedy’s shot went up and over the wall and started to dip. The keeper caught sight of the ball at the last second but it was too late as the ball was in the net, and the score was tied 1-1.The second half started with neither team making any all-out attacks on the other’s goal. Lynnfield then struck like a bolt of lightning. In the 47th minute, Kennedy, who always hangs up with the last defenders, barely onside, was fed a through pass by Tino Acierno. Kennedy collected the ball down near the corner flag and reversed direction, coming up the sideline with two defenders on him. He suddenly veered into the area, leaving the two defenders behind him. He took two dribbles, and then unloaded a low shot to the far corner of the net. The ball hit the netting just behind the goalpost for his second goal of the game and his 37th of the year.There were smiles on the faces of the Lynnfield faithful who had seen the Mike Kennedy Show before.Now all the Lynnfield defenders needed to do was keep Greater Lowell away from the net, and keeper Andrew Leader, for 33 minutes. Munroe called a timeout and instructed his players to play their normal positions and stop backing in on their own keeper.With their passing game now working, the Pioneers were able to hold possession of the ball for longer periods of time. Munroe also kept substituting fresh players into the game to give the others a break.There was a sigh of relief when the whistle came that ended the game and the Pioneers were again D3 North champions by a score of 2-1.Gryphons coach Joe Kane had high praise for both teams.”A break here or there and the score would have been different,” he said. “Both teams played a great game.”Munroe heaped praise on everyone, including trainer Sean Roach, for keeping the team in playing shape.”We watched them Friday night and saw a few places where Mike could do his thing and we are ready for the South champions,” Munroe said.