The Lynnfield Pioneers’ field hockey team (5) defeated the Tahanto Stags (28) on a sunny Thursday afternoon at Lynnfield High, 5-0.
Lynnfield Head Coach Samantha Pindara said one of the exciting things about the playoffs is not always knowing the opponent. That was the case when the Pioneers (11-7) hosted Tahanto – a 10-6-1 team from Boylston. Despite the unfamiliarity, Lynnfield scored early and never looked back – advancing to play the winner of Pioneer Valley and Littleton in the round of 16.
One responsibility of a senior captain is to lead by example, and Lynnfield’s Julia Carbone obliged – scoring on a corner early in the game to put the Pioneers ahead, 1-0.
Carbone didn’t stop there in the first quarter, collecting an assist on Lana Sutera’s goal that put Tahanto in a 2-0 hole in enemy territory. Sofia Raffa also grabbed an assist on Sutera’s goal – completing the connection of three seniors on the play.
Give, and you shall receive. Raffa scored on a corner from Sutera in the second quarter to put Lynnfield up 3-0 in front of its hometown faithful. With a goal and an assist already recorded, Sutera struck again to give the Pioneers a commanding 4-0 lead – also on a corner.
Gia Marotta, a sophomore midfielder, wasn’t phased by the big game in her young playoff career, scoring Lynnfield’s fifth goal in what was a dominant first half in the offensive zone for the Pioneers.
Pindara said the Pioneers had a great practice on Wednesday, and told her team to remain alert no matter who’s lining up against them.
“We talked about how the tournament is super exciting and that’s what we play all season for, but every game and every practice can be your last,” Pindara said. “It all depends on how you show up.”
Lynnfield continued to show up in the second half. Towards the start of the third, junior Chloe Kustka impressed in the midfield, using her strength to shrug off two defenders before entering the zone and establishing possession.
On the defensive end, Lynnfield junior Hailey Mihalchik forced a turnover with great positioning – planting herself in the perfect spot that prevented a Stag from dribbling by her. Moments later, Mihalchik and Gabby Jacobs combined to swarm a Tahanto player on a rush – forcing the Stags to restart their offensive possession.
On top of recording a shutout, senior goalie Charlotte Radulski was sharp when needed. Any time the ball was near the goal line, Radulski kicked the ball out of danger to keep Tahanto off the scoreboard.
The third quarter was fairly even. The Stags got closer to the net, but the Pioneers were crisper with their passes and connecting upfield.
In the fourth, Lynnfield played more conservative to avoid a Tahanto comeback chance – passing up on shots to waste time, and not forcing plays upfield that could result in turnovers.
The Stags’ sense of urgency was there, but Lynnfield’s poke-checking, midfield speed, and goaltending were too much for Tahanto to overcome. Two Pioneers played catch in the corner as the final seconds ticked down, and Lynnfield advanced to the round of 16 – winning 5-0 over the Stags.
“We didn’t know how they [Tahanto] were going to show up. It didn’t matter that we were the higher seed,” Pindara said. “So, we came in with that mindset that we had to prove ourselves.”
The Pioneers take on the winner of Monday’s game between Pioneer Valley Regional (12) and Littleton (21) in the round of 16 (Division 4).
