LYNN — Not only did Lynn Tech (7-4-2) score nine goals – yes, nine – against Lowell Catholic (1-11-2) Wednesday afternoon, but did so with seven goal-scorers. That’s about as dominant as a team can get.
From the first minute to the final whistle, Tech owned its home turf at Manning Field en route to a 9-1 victory.
The hosts scored five first-half goals, the first coming five minutes in when Saul Mejia shot a laser from 18 yards out.
It was important for Tech to come out strong, as scoring first has been an issue this season.
“That’s actually been a challenge for us throughout the whole season. It’s been taking a while to score the first goal,” assistant coach Briana Moreno said. “We changed up the lineup a bit and made it a little more offensive, and played a different formation. That allowed us to put them away early on which was great because then we got to use all of our bench players and everybody got to play and have fun.”
Tech dominated possession, rarely making an erred pass, also holding the Crusaders inside their defensive third.
“It’s been really hard for any team to touch us when it comes to possession,” Moreno said. “We’re really good at working the ball around, passing back, [and] playing the way we face. Our challenge has just been finishing.”
Well, not Wednesday.
Tech jumped ahead 3-0 with eight minutes remaining in the half before Luis Sandoval used his pace and tricky dribbles to sprint down the sideline. From there, Sandoval sent a perfect cross to Dany Gomez who tapped in the Tigers’ fourth.
“I think the difference today was we put away more of our opportunities. We’ve been struggling just putting the ball in the back of the net, but we’ve been practicing on finishing and things like that and it’s definitely showing in the games,” Moreno said.
Tech added its fifth through a clinical finish from Rickelmy Merida to end the half.
Not only did everyone get to play, but did so in Tigers’ fashion, according to Moreno.
“Everybody got to play. Everybody played with the ball on the ground, which is what we were looking for,” Moreno said.
Minor Angel scored, arguably, the goal of the game, taking a free kick from 38 yards out and pinging it into the corner of the net (8-0).
The Tigers’ next game is Thursday when they take on Greater Lowell.
“Everybody played at a high level… we’re putting more opportunities away each game. We’re hoping that correlates to the postseason,” Moreno said. “We’re just really preparing for our big game tomorrow against Greater Lowell.”
Lynn Tech goal-scorers:
Merida: 2
Gomez: 2
Mejia: 1
Alan Barrios: 1
Raymond Ferrera: 1
Felipe De Oliviera: 1
Angel: 1
