LYNNFIELD — What a season it was for Lynnfield’s field hockey team, helmed by first-year coach Kerri Doherty, an alumna who replaced Samantha Pindara ahead of the fall season.

Despite Saturday’s loss in the Division 4 state tournament – a 2-0 defeat to No. 3 Sutton in the Round of 8 – No. 6 Lynnfield fought until the very end.

“Excellent season,” Doherty said. “It was commendable play by all of the seniors who left their hearts on the field.”

Those seniors were midfielder Gia Marotta, right forward Taylor Valiton, left back Chloe Gromko, midfielder Libby Considine, and goalkeeper Lauren MacDonald.

The Pioneers finished with a record of 14-4-3. You could say Saturday’s exit was just an unfortunate closing chapter of a tremendous book.

“I commend my team’s mental toughness and ability to block out the noise as we did play our game just a little too late out the gate,” Doherty said.

With goose eggs at the end of the first quarter, Sutton struck first off the stick of Camryn Kinne with a minute remaining in the first half. 

Lynnfield took the field for the third quarter, but was a player down. That’s because Marotta was out after a “questionably-called” penalty card, according to Doherty.

The opposition capitalized, with Clare Acocelli tucking an insurance goal for Sutton (2-0).

But good teams don’t run – they respond.

“We picked up the pace and started playing Lynnfield hockey and had Sutton on its toes for the third quarter, which I think was our best opportunity to equalize,” said Doherty, whose Pioneers fell by the same score (2-0) against Sutton in the regular season. “We had three more corners and some beautiful cross-passes from Lauren Mattia and Sophie Morgese that went just shy of the net. We had rebounds that didn’t convert and forced corners that weren’t called. We just couldn’t find the backboard.”

Rounding out Lynnfield positives, MacDonald made eight saves between the pipes.

“Including an incredible blocker save in the second quarter,” said Doherty, a Cape Ann League Player of the Year during her playing days.

With year No. 1 in the books for Doherty, it’s safe to say the last few months have been a success – beyond just the standings.

“I’m very proud of these kids and I’m blessed to have had the opportunity to coach the team this year,” she said.

As much as Doherty did for her players this season, her players returned the favor, too.

“My dad (Ted Doherty) passed midway through the season on Sept. 29, so it was a meaningful and great season overall. I couldn’t have asked for a better team of players, supportive parents, coaches Jenna Freni and Brianna Barrett, and the entire Lynnfield High School community and athletic department,” she said. “He even got to make it to a couple games early on to see me coach back at the high school I attended and the program I played for.”