LYNNFIELD – Beanies were worn and jackets were, well, still puffy on a chilly Friday evening at Pioneer Stadium – but at least fans got their first taste of lacrosse.
The Lynnfield boys lacrosse team (1-0) began its spring with a 7-4 victory against Masconomet (0-1).
One could argue, however, the win was the second best part – that’s because head coach Pat Lamusta said his team’s identity was found.
“There was a little bit of uncertainty about what our identity was going to be, but I think we’re going to be a pretty physical, tough, fast team,” Lamusta said. “I think that’s our game.”
Coming from the lacrosse and football coach, Lamusta will never say no to a blue-collar style.
“We have a lot of football guys, a lot of hockey guys [and] multi-sport athletes, so if it gets into a running match, I hope we’re the type of team that can play that type of game,” Lamusta said. “And I think, today, we showed that.”
Three of Lynnfield’s four goal-scorers were sophomores. Kelan Cardinal led the way with a hat-trick, followed by a pair from Owen Doherty and another from Mike Murphy.
“We have a pretty young group out there at attack, and they stepped up,” Lamusta said. “In their first big varsity start, that was awesome to see.”
But a senior leader isn’t bad, either. Jack Calichman also scored a goal, and Lamusta said he’ll “be able to run a marathon after this season” with how much he’s utilized.
“He is a catalyst,” Lamusta said. “That’s what he is.”
Calichman made it look easy as the primary ball-carrier, rarely forcing things and keeping the pace in Lynnfield’s favor.
“He treasures the ball,” Lamusta said. “When it’s the right time to shoot, he’ll shoot. When it’s the right time to pull it back and reset, he’ll do that.”
His side-arm goal – after leaving his defender in the rearview mirror – was a beauty in the first quarter, which ended in Lynnfield’s favor (3-2).
Continuing the pattern, the second and third quarters also finished with one-goal differentials, but Cardinal had different plans in the fourth. He sniped two goals in four minutes to send Masco home.
“When we needed some goals and some possessions, we got them tonight,” Lamusta said. “We’re off to a good start; I’m really psyched about the win.”
He was also psyched about the play of defenseman James Sharkey, who sent two Chieftains to the turf in the second quarter.
“[He’s] a football captain [and] linebacker,” Lamusta said. “James is a heart-and-soul guy and super physical.”
Lynnfield goalie Ben Pimentel stood strong between the pipes with four saves, including a clutch stop with four minutes remaining.
“He’s tough in there,” Lamusta said. “A lot of awesome saves.”
All that said, Friday wasn’t perfect.
“I think we could’ve been better with penalties,” Lamusta said. “We had some silly mistakes.”
Lamusta enjoys watching Sharkey, AJ Chiaradonna, and Steven Dreher run with the ball as defensemen, but overall, would like to see more composure from his team.
“I don’t mind the, somewhat, frantic pace, but I’d like to be in a little bit more control,” Lamusta said.
The Pioneers get a chance to do that Monday at 4 p.m. in a road matchup against Gloucester.
