LYNN — Yes, you heard that right. Cindy “Allie” De Leon found the back of the net four times, leading Lynn Tech (4-3-1) past the KIPP Panthers by a score of 5-1 on Monday night at Manning Field.
“She’s taken it upon herself to be aggressive with shots towards the net,” said Tigers coach JD Perry. “She’s elevated her game where she’s pushing the play, making things happen, and it’s been a joy to watch.”
Even with Tech’s dominant victory, KIPP was no easy opponent, drawing first blood just eight minutes into the game. After the Tigers contained possession in their attacking third for the first few minutes, the Panthers used the counter-attack to create chances for their side.
Priscila Lopez (one assist) weaved through defenders and sent a low and hard pass across the Tigers’ net, where captain Joanna Lopez De Leon fired it home for the first score of the game.
Lopez continued to wreak havoc on the Tech defense in the beginning of the game, drawing a foul that led to a free kick just outside the 18-yard box. This gave the Panthers’ De Leon a chance on net that just grazed over the crossbar.
The Panthers came out swinging and hit on their first punch, but the Tigers were not fazed, knotting the game at one with 18 minutes left to go in the first half. Tech’s consistent pressure in their zone finally paid off, as Rose Mendez (one assist) diced up the defense with a through ball that found De Leon on the far post, who then tucked it away for the first goal of the night.
Teams continued to trade blows throughout the first half, which included a rebound attempt from KIPP’s Jennifer Lopez Menendez that rang off the crossbar, and the Tigers forcing a last second block from Panthers defender Esther Agbedun with the keeper out of net.
After 40 minutes of play, the teams were deadlocked at one goal apiece, but after Perry’s halftime adjustments it was all Tigers in the second half.
The Tigers would go on to score four more goals in the second half.
Perry spoke on their adjustments at halftime that led to the second-half shutout.
“(KIPP) played us very tough from the jump…. They had two key players [Lopez and De Leon] that worked the field to their advantage … What we were able to do was identify this and get our players on them,” Perry said.
Thirteen minutes into the half the Tigers took their first lead of the game, taking advantage of a poor defensive clearance from the Panthers, as Mayrin Rodriguez (one assist) found De Leon on the wing, firing it just under the crossbar for the 2-1 advantage.
This really opened up the Panthers’ defensive line, as Tech started to find the soft spots time and time again.
With 10 minutes left of play De Leon’s chipped shot found its way in, followed by her fourth and final goal of the game to seal her masterful performance with the win.
Tigers midfielder Emily Zacarias (one goal, one assist) made it five for Tech with just moments left to play and finished the Panthers off with a 5-1 victory.
Down the stretch, the Panthers were able to use the counter-attack on multiple occasions to get back in this game, but major plays from center back Yudith Gomez (one assist) stumped the attack. Perry was thrilled with Gomez’s performance and credited her for her efforts.
“Yudith Gomez was a standout on defense, she had a tremendous game,” Perry said.
Lynn Tech has now beaten two different Lynn rivals so far this season and look to continue their strong form behind the play of De Leon and Gomez.
