LEOMINSTER — Goals, celebrations, memories, you name it – this season had it all.
But the journey ended for the No. 4 Lynnfield girls soccer team Wednesday night, losing to top-seeded South Hadley in penalties, 4-3.
The Pioneers were down three times, but never gave up at Doyle Field, finding an equalizer each time.
“It shows the character of our team. They didn’t quit and we knew we had to leave it all out there and we did,” said Lynnfield coach Mark Vermont. “I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”
Down 3-2 with less than three minutes remaining in, well, someone’s season, Lynnfield received a corner kick. The ball was punched away by the Tigers’ goalie, but Lynnfield hopped on the rebound and was tripped inside the penalty box.
Out came the whistle, and as cool as the fall weather, Ally Sykes stepped up and slotted it to the keeper’s left, evening the game, 3-3.
Not long after, the whistle blew again – this time, for extra time.
Neither team found its breakthrough in extra time, despite chances left and right.
But the Tigers converted all four of their penalties while Lynnfield made just one of three.
“We came up a little bit short in PKs,” Vermont said. “It sucks, but that’s soccer.”
An opening goal for South Hadley six minutes into the game set the tone. Lynnfield kept its cool, however, and continued to fight back.
Emma Rose scored an Olympico straight from a corner kick to even the game (1-1) with 19:37 left in the first half.
The teams went into halftime level, 1-1.
In the second half, South Hadley’s Lauren Marjanski got the Tigers back in front with a goal straight from a corner kick (2-1).
Corners aplenty. Lynnfield equalized when Rose sent in a corner and it found Bella Carroll who poked it home (2-2) with 16:45 left.
Despite the loss, Vermont credited South Hadley, describing the opposition as a “great squad.”
Lynnfield graduates six seniors, and Vermont praised all the work they’ve committed to the program.
“They’re tireless workers with great chemistry,” Vermont said. “They’re all great kids.”
