The Lynnfield girls soccer team (8-6-4) defeated the Burlington Red Devils at Pioneer Stadium on Saturday morning, 2-1.
Sisters Ally and Bella Sykes both scored in the second half in Lynnfield’s come-from-behind victory – the Pioneers dominated the second half and the season ended with momentum on their side.
Ally Sykes of the Pioneers established an aggressive tone early, advancing towards a Burlington ball-carrier to knock the ball away in the midfield. Her sister, Bella Sykes, caught eyes a few minutes later as she deked a defender before delivering two crisp passes to the cleats of her teammates.
At the 33:40 mark of the first half, the Red Devils got a breakaway but Lynnfield goalkeeper Ava Gamache positioned herself and made an emphatic save to keep things 0-0 early.
Through 10 minutes, Burlington had the best chance, but the Pioneers dominated the time of possession category. Both teams were present and accounted for on the Saturday morning, chasing after loose balls and looking to strike first.
The Red Devils had a three-on-one brewing downfield, but Keely Briggs anticipated a lead pass to give the Pioneers possession back. On the possession, Ally Sykes tried to wrong-foot the Burlington keeper and sent a left-footed shot down low, but it rolled wide.
Lynnfield’s Clara Caulfield showed off her poise in the offensive zone – receiving a pass, reading the defense, and dribbling to open space instead of forcing an untimely ball. On the defensive end, Pioneer midfielders and defenders were on their A-games, allowing little breathing room for Red Devils dribbling upfield.
Gamache put on a wonderful display of vision at the 16-minute mark, scooping up the ball and, within seconds, throwing it to nearly midfield to an awaiting Pioneer. The defense continued minutes later with Ally Sykes breaking up two passes on the same possession to send things the other way.
Just before the 5-minute mark of the half, Gamache dove for a loose ball but couldn’t control it – leaving the net wide open for a Red Devil to capitalize on the doorstep. Burlington jumped ahead, 1-0, into the break.
“Keep doing what we’re doing,” Ally Sykes said. “He [Lynnfield Heach Coach Mark Vermont] said play the feet, keep shooting, press hard, and stay positive.”
To kick off the second half, there was a cluster in front of Burlington’s goal with navy blue jerseys right there, but no Pioneers could track the ball down. On the other end, Gamache dove to her right to smother a Burlington shot, much to the pleasure of the hometown faithful.
Lynnfield received a free kick after a Red Devil played the ball from the turf, but Ally Sykes shot wide left on a roller. Moments later, Lynnfield’s Emma Rose hit the crossbar on a strike as all momentum favored the host Pioneers.
The Pioneers made clean passes, hustled to loose balls, and used each other in the offensive zone to tilt the turf. After a Burlington hit in the box, persistence was rewarded and Ally Sykes received a penalty kick.
Sykes wasted no time once the whistle blew, stepping up and firing a low shot into the bottom-right portion of the net – tying the game, 1-1, followed by a celebration with her open-armed teammates.
The Red Devils became sloppier in their own zone due to the Lynnfield momentum, losing possession of balls and piling on the turnovers. Caulfield scored for the Pioneers on a rebound, but the play was called offside with under 15 minutes remaining.
The next one counted. Burlington’s keeper failed to control another rebound and Bella Sykes was there to head the ball in to put Lynnfield ahead, 2-1 with 11:22 remaining.
“I just ran to crash the net and then headed it in,” Bella Sykes said.
Burlington couldn’t establish possession throughout the entire half. Time expired on the Red Devils and Lynnfield finished the season 8-6-4 with the Sykes sisters playing the roles of the heros.
