LYNNFIELD — When the Pioneers’ girls lacrosse team opens the season Thursday at home against Danvers, hopes are high that the team has what it takes to make a deep run in the Division 4 state tournament.
Last year’s team finished the regular season 9-10, which was good enough to earn the Pioneers the No. 16 seed in the tournament. After a first-round bye, the Pioneers were eliminated by No. 17 Monomoy, 8-5, in the Round of 32.
Head coach Christina Serra, now in her third season at the helm, said her goal for this year’s team is to make a deeper run in the tournament.
“My overall goal was for our program to get better every year and I have been so proud of what we have accomplished already,” she said. “My first season, we made it to states with an away game almost four hours away. Last year we placed well enough in the tournament to have a home game, but it ended in a tough loss and I see a lot of potential for us this season.”
Sunday, at the North Andover play day, Serra had her first chance to see the team under game conditions. She said she “couldn’t have been happier with the way the girls played.”
“We faced many schools that were divisions above us and the girls came out with wins almost every time,” she said. “Our defense worked well together and Casey (Flynn) had great saves in the net. Our transitions and ball movement were very smooth and we have many more girls who can take the ball to the cage. It was exciting to watch.”
Flynn, a senior in her second year between the pipes, senior attacker Maddie Mastrangelo, a four-year varsity veteran, and junior midfielder/attacker Taylor Valiton, will serve as captains.
Serra said the team has relied heavily on Valiton, a three-year varsity veteran, for goal production, but sees signs of other players capable of stepping up on offense.
“Taylor Valiton is the only returning player who was our goal-scorer,” Serra said. “She scored her 100th goal as a sophomore for us last year. I see great potential already in a few of our freshmen as well. So, this year, I am very excited about both our offense and our defense. We have a few great shooters and some strong defenders, but I am most excited for some of the speed we have added to the team. We have a few fast midfielders this year.”
Other key returners include junior defensemen Kayla Santo and Clara Caulfield, as well as junior midfielder Lily White.
Serra said she is fortunate to also have several promising newcomers. That group includes senior midfielder Keely Briggs and four freshmen in midfielder Ava Damiani, midfielder Jordan Calichman, defenseman Maeve Wertz ,and Taylor Valiton’s younger sister, Hayden, a midfielder/attacker.
In terms of Cape Ann League competition, Serra said “Newburyport is always our toughest competitor.”
The Pioneers have a challenging non-league schedule with six of seven games against teams in higher divisions, including Division 1 Winchester, Division 2 Wakefield, Wilmington, Melrose and Danvers, and Division 3 Malden Catholic. Division 4 Winthrop is also on the docket. Serra said she expects Winchester, likely, will be the toughest team the Pioneers face in the regular season.
“My coaching staff and I put a lot of time into researching non-league teams that would be challenging for the girls, but not unattainable wins if they work hard,” Serra said. “We already have a challenging schedule being in the CAL, so the girls will have their work cut out for them this season, but playing those high division teams will help us in the power rankings. I am very excited to see how our team does this spring.”
