LYNNFIELD — The Lynnfield boys soccer team (8-1-4) may not have had its best stuff against visiting Essex Tech (3-8-3) Thursday night, but it had just enough to come away with a 4-2 win on Kick Cancer night.
Senior captain Rocco Scenna was practically a one-man show, scoring two goals in the first 20 minutes and finishing with a hat-trick. Fellow senior captain Mohammed Ayari also scored. Sophomore Colin Mauser chipped in two assists.
Despite the win, Lynnfield coach Brent Munroe said his team didn’t play its best game.
“We got ahead early, which was nice, but then gave up a pretty bad one, which was kind of a turning point,” Munroe said. “Then, it was a battle for a while. The first goal in the second half was a big one (by Ayari). We just gave up way too many chances to a team that hasn’t scored a ton of goals and was missing some key players. We weren’t thrilled with the way we played – mostly because of the chances we gave up.”
Essex Tech coach Brian Scott said he was proud of the way his team fought.
“We played them pretty well in the first half, but Lynnfield is really talented. I was really proud of the way these guys fought. Lynnfield is a really great program, but our guys played hard,” Scott said. “I’m proud of the way they competed tonight. It was a hard-fought game at both ends. It’s a battle when we play Lynnfield and I have a lot of respect for coach Munroe.”
Lynnfield needed just six minutes to break the ice. Ayari lofted a corner kick in the box grabbed by tech goalie Jackson McKinnon, but the rebound popped back to Scenna, who redirected it home to make it a 1-0 game.
With 19 minutes to go in the half, Mauser picked Tech’s pocket and passed to Scenna, who drilled another home to double the Pioneers’ lead to 2-0.
Essex Tech ramped up its attack with about 10 minutes left in the half with Lynnfield struggling to mount much of an offensive attack. Tech’s persistence finally paid off with about five minutes to go in the half when a Lynnfield attempt to clear the ball away from the goal was misplayed back into the Pioneer net to make it a 2-1 game.
The Pioneers needed just four minutes to get that one back. Scenna made a long run and dished to Ayari, who, in turn, weaved his way through Tech’s back line to goal and tapped one home, making it a 3-1 game.
With just less than 30 minutes to play, Scenna struck again, taking a pass from Mauser and driving deep into Tech territory in the box. He put on the brakes, then cut left and hooked the ball just under the crossbar to complete his hat-trick and give Lynnfield some breathing room (4-1).
Tech added a late goal with 5:49 to go, but it was too little, too late.
Prior to the game, five breast cancer survivors wearing special pink satin sashes were announced and escorted onto the field by captains Nate Zalvan, Scenna, and Ayari. The group included Scenna’s grandmother Eleanor Canter, Zalvan’s grandmother Bryna Tabasky, Caryn Antonelli, Jenessa Daily, and Summer Street School teacher Kristen Collins, who carried bouquets donated by Gregory’s Florist in Wakefield.
Breast cancer ribbons were handed out to fans and there was a raffle for four rounds of golf at Sagamore Spring Golf Course. Proceeds will be donated to the Marblehead Breast Friends at Devereux Beach walk – taking place Sunday – which is being organized by Scenna for a second consecutive year.
“It was a good win, but tonight is about honoring breast cancer survivors and raising funds to help fight breast cancer,” Scenna said. “My aunt (Elizabeth Canter) died from the disease, so the walk is a way to honor her and other survivors.”
Both coaches noted the importance of the event. Scott said his father is battling cancer and his players also wore their breast cancer uniforms to show their support for those fighting the disease.
“I talked to Rocco before the game and it’s a great night to remember why we do this,” Scott said. “This isn’t about high school soccer; we’re playing for a higher cause. It’s more than a game.”
“This is a pretty meaningful event for all of us, especially the Scenna family, so we are happy to help out,” Munroe said. “I know the Essex Tech coach’s father is battling cancer, so it seems like cancer affects everybody. Tonight was a nice night to help do something to help.”
Scenna said anyone can participate in the walk by registering or donating on the walk’s website: https://because.massgeneral.org/event/2025-breast-friends-walk/e692335.
Lynnfield’s next game is a big one. The Pioneers hope to avenge their only loss of the season in a rematch against North Reading Tuesday at home. Play begins at 4:15 p.m.
“We need to play better, otherwise we could lose by a handful if we play like we did today,” Munroe said.
