LYNN — In a battle of Lynn rivals at Manning Field Monday evening it was the Lynn Classical boys soccer team that came out on top in a 2-1 victory over Lynn Tech.
The game itself was notable for a few reasons, with the two teams squaring off in a rare interleague game during the Fall II season. And of course the Classical squad is coached by Eric Moreno Jr. while his father Eric Moreno Sr. is at the helm for Tech, so family bragging rights were up for grabs.
“We love playing Tech,” Eric Moreno Jr. said. “It’s been a rematch of the city finals for the last two years. With this pandemic every team in Lynn felt like they got robbed of the city tournament. (This game) had that feeling. It was nice to have that feeling again and hopefully we can get back to the city tournament next year.”
Elzon Halimi and Jair Alvarez each scored a goal for the Rams, both coming in the first 17 minutes of play. Goalkeeper Isaiah Diaz made several key saves to help preserve the Rams lead down the stretch.
“We did well to get those goals early, that was the game plan,” Eric Moreno Jr. said. “We have Chelsea (Tuesday) and a few more games coming this week. We had to make sure we tried to get out and conserve a little bit of energy but also get the win.”
While Classical grabbed its first win on the young season, Monday’s loss marked the end of the year for Eric Moreno Sr. and Tech. The Tigers also celebrated their senior night, honoring their five seniors — Brian Barrera, Bibek Gurung, Frismant Macario, Josbel Murphy and Manish Pulami — for their contributions to the program over the years.
“It was nice,” Eric Moreno Sr. said. “We got the seniors some really nice jackets so that they can remember their time on the team.”
Tech’s lone goal came off the foot of Macario on a free kick late in the first half. Tech and Classical had actually scrimmaged earlier in the week and the Tigers won that unofficial game 2-0 but didn’t get off to the best start Monday.
“We played them last week and beat them,” Eric Moreno Sr. said. “(Monday) was an opportunity for the seniors to say goodbye to Manning Field and their soccer careers. But I think we didn’t play with the same intensity that we did last week. They scored two quick goals and got the win.”
Anybody socially distanced in the stands at Monday’s game was treated to a great, back and forth contest for all 80 minutes. The Rams brought the pressure first and Halimi made the most of a free kick just outside the Tech box to put Classical ahead 1-0 eight minutes in.
Less than 10 minutes later Alvarez jumped in front of a pass and weaved his way through a pair of defenders before scoring to extend the lead to 2-0.
Despite the early hole the rest of the first half belonged to Tech. The Tigers had a number of chances before Macario was awarded a free kick inside the Classical box. He made the most of it as well, scoring to cut the deficit in half before the break.
Classical brought back the pressure in the second half but couldn’t convert on a trio of corner kicks.
Tech made things interesting in the final minutes with its best chance coming from a kick by Erikson Licardie that rattled against the crossbar and allowed Classical to escape with its first win.
The Rams (1-1) visit Chelsea Tuesday (10).
The Tigers put a cap on a 8-2 season and already have their sights set on the fall.
“It’s one of those things where you live and you learn,” Eric Moreno Sr. said. “Some of our players weren’t as physical (Monday). With that being said we have a great squad for next year. All young kids and they’re going to be great.”
