The Lynnfield boys soccer team kicked the season off on a high note Thursday night, notching a 2-1 win over Cape Ann League foe Manchester-Essex in a tough battle at Lynnfield High.
“It was really exciting just to get back out on the field and play,” said Lynnfield coach Brent Monroe. “We knew coming in that this would be a tough game and we were right. We had to battle the whole way and it was great to come away with the win.”
Ben Sykes and Jack Bird each scored a goal for the Pioneers, while Alex Gentile had one assist.
Lynnfield (1-0) hosts rival North Reading Saturday afternoon (2).
BOYS SOCCER
Archbishop Williams 2, St. Mary’s 1
Zach Barden, playing his first season of soccer due to the postponement of the football season, scored his first career varsity goal for the Spartans in Thursday’s loss. Connor Hamel added one assist, while Kaya Jackson, Jacob Guarino and Cian LeVasseur also played well in the loss.
St. Mary’s (1-1) is back in action Saturday morning (10) on the road at Bishop Stang.
GIRLS SOCCER
Lynnfield 1, Manchester-Essex 0
Lynnfield took home the win in the 71st minute with a penalty-kick goal. The Pioneers (1-0) travel to North Reading Saturday afternoon (2).
GOLF
Swampscott 51.5, Peabody 20.5
The Big Blue remained hot with another victory Thursday, getting wins from Danny DiLisio (5-4), Aidan Graciale (8-1), Lou Spellios (9-0), Nate Stern (7.5-1.5), Will Roddy (7-2) and Nate Maercklein (6.5-2.5).
Swampscott (3-2) travels to Salem tomorrow afternoon (3).
The Peabody golf team struggled in its opener, but three young players showed promise in their first career high school matches.
Tanners No. 1 Ryan Burnett played well despite a loss, Sammy Olivieri pulled out a 5-4 win and Jacob Richards tied 4.5-4.5.
“We’re really young, which is a good thing,” Peabody coach Peter Cronin said. “The future looks bright, we just have to clean up our short game.
Marblehead 41.5, Beverly 30.5
Marblehead got wins from Ben Weed (5.5-3.5), Matt Weed (6.5-2.5), Matt Thompson (6.5-2.5), Chris Grenier (6.5-2.5), Jacob Aizanman (5.5-3.5), while Jack Sontz and Abigail Schwartz each tied their matches (5-4.5).
The Magicians (1-1) play on the road at Peabody Tuesday (3:30).
Bishop Fenwick 177, Austin Prep 171
The Crusaders earned a slim victory on the road at Hillview Golf Course. Fenwick (5-1) hosts St. Mary’s Saturday afternoon (3:30) at The Meadow at Peabody Golf Course.
FIELD HOCKEY
Manchester-Essex 4, Lynnfield 3
The Pioneers (0-1) are right back in action Friday afternoon (4:15) at home against rival North Reading.
VOLLEYBALL
St. Mary’s 3, Archbishop Williams 0
The Spartans earned a victory in straight sets to open the season Thursday. St. Mary’s (1-0) travels to Bishop Stang Saturday afternoon (12:15).
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
Lynnfield 35, Georgetown 22
The Lynnfield boys got their season started on the right foot with a win at Georgetown Thursday. Senior Mike Madden led the pack for the Pioneers with a first place finish (18:20) while sophomore John McKrell also had an impressive day. Coach Joe DiBiase, in his last year with the team was happy to see his teams, including the girls get back out there.
“It went great,” DiBiase said. “It was great to just be on the bus, see the kids joking, laughing and then see them running. It was a little bit of normalcy (Thursday). It was great to get out there.”
The Pioneers (1-0) travel to Newburyport Thursday (3:30).
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
Lynnfield 50, Georgetown 15
The Lynnfield girls had an impressive start to their season with Bianca Guarrcino finishing third place (24:09).
Lynnfield (1-0) is back on the road Thursday (3:30) at Newburyport.
