LYNN — The Winthrop girls soccer team scored early and controlled play almost all night to grab a 4-0 win over Lynn Tech on the road at Manning Field Monday.
A pair of early scores from senior Maura Dorr put the Vikings ahead from the jump and the offense kept Tech on its heals the rest of the way. Mia Martucci and Maddie Stiglets also found the back of the net in the win.
“I think overall we moved the ball around well,” Winthrop coach Tracey Martucci said. “Our problem is always just connecting with the net and getting our hips square to the goal. Overall the game play was pretty much in their end so we controlled possession.”
It was the latest win in a great start for Winthrop on the season. The Vikings improved to 5-0 in a Fall II sports season filled with some unfamiliar opponents.
“We’re having a good year,” Martucci said. “We don’t play any of these teams, we’re usually in the Northeastern Conference so we have no idea what we’re coming into. It’s been good so far.
“Tech gave us a good game,” Martucci said. “We didn’t know what to expect and they definitely showed up to play us (Monday). “
Despite the loss, the Tech defense was tested just about all night long and for the most part it held its ground fairly well. Marilyn Cardona wracked up 13 saves in net and Helen Pojoy did a great job leading the defense.
“Helen played a great game,” Tech coach Dave Miller said. “She always does and really saves our bacon. But that being said Marilyn our goalkeeper has come along by leaps and bounds compared to where she was two years ago.
“I know the score might not suggest it, we’re not happy with the scoreline, but we’re also looking at this season as a building process,” Miller said. “We have a lot of young girls so we have the fall in mind. What we care about most is sending our four seniors off with a bang or at least the ability to not lose their senior year.”
Dorr got the Vikings started almost immediately, out-racing Cardona to a loose ball in front of the Tiger’s net and finding the back of the net in the first minute of play. Ten minutes later Winthrop had a string of corner chances, with Dorr eventually finishing on one to put the Vikings ahead 2-0.
The Vikings kept the pressure on from there, with chances including four corner kicks and a shot off the crossbar but Tech held its ground going into the half.
Just under eight minutes into the second half, Winthrop struck again with Mia Martucci beating Cardona on a breakaway to bump the lead to 3-0.
Winthrop once again peppered Tech with scoring chances in the second half but some missed nets, diving saves from Cardona and some solid defensive play kept the Vikings from scoring through most of the rest of the way.
With Winthrop boasting strong numbers this season, the Vikings were able to keep their legs fresh and Stiglets capped off the scoring with a goal in the final minutes.
“We have about 40 girls total in the program which is good,” Martucci said. “With the pandemic you don’t know what you’re going to get but we definitely have strong numbers still.”
Winthrop (5-0) and Tech (1-3-1) face off again Wednesday (4) at Miller Field.
“I’m proud of them,” Miller said. “Is there room for improvement? Yes. We came off at halftime disappointed which is a good sign. We know we can be better. We’ll build on it.”
