At last, Lynnfield returns to the big game

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Last Updated, Nov 15, 2023, 12:42 AM

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LEOMINSTER — When you get to the Final Four, your record goes out the window – especially when it’s No. 2 vs. No. 3.

Fortunately for the two-seeded Lynnfield Pioneers, they made the most of their chances and advanced to the state championship game (Division 4) with a 2-1 win against Hampshire Regional, which walked onto Doyle Field undefeated.

“We were under pressure the whole game. They’re a fabulous team,” said Lynnfield coach Brent Munroe. “I feel fortunate to get out of here with the win. I thought all of our guys played terrific.”

The Pioneers didn’t have the ball much, but when they did, they took their shots.

One player who was up for the challenge was junior captain Dillon Reilly. Efficient is an understatement in describing the striker, who scored two goals on his first two shots of the game.

The first came three minutes in when Reilly chased after a long pass and beat two Raiders to the ball. Once he got the ball under control, the sniper made no mistakes in front of the net, slotting it in for an emotional 1-0 lead.

“Rocco [Scenna] flicked it over and both of their center backs didn’t talk, so I just ran between them and got to the ball first,” Reilly said.

Munroe described Tuesday as having an “Unbelievable start. We have a great scorer in the front who scored two.”

For a striker, sometimes, you just have to be in the right place at the right time. That was Reilly on his second goal.

Lynnfield was in the Raiders’ box and the ball fell to Reilly’s feet. From there, he poked it home to make it 2-0. Appeals for offside were made, but Reilly’s run was ruled onside.

“I thought I did pretty well. I didn’t get a lot of chances, but I took them when they came,” Reilly said. “Our midfield played great, our defense played great, and (goalie) Kelan (Cardinal) played a hell of a game. I just did my part.”

Speaking of doing his part, he usually does, according to Munroe.

“He’s always great. He’s a great kid and he’s been great all year,” Munroe said. “The rest of the guys battled like hell and it was enough.”

In the second half, Lynnfield defended as well as it attacked. Cardinal (12 saves) protected his net, and cleared with ease.

“He was phenomenal. He was terrific and made great saves all night,” Munroe said of his shot-stopper.

Cardinal described the game as “gritty.”

“I had to stay locked in the entire game and make sure my teammates know what I’m thinking… and if we do that, no one can score on us,” Cardinal said.

Orchestrating from the back, Cardinal was communicating non-stop with his teammates. His defenders put their bodies on the line to block shots and crosses – much to the liking of Cardinal.

“I love them, man. They mean everything to me,” Cardinal said.

The Raiders received a late goal from Brendan Stevenson with less than two minutes remaining. The Pioneers have been there before, however, and didn’t let the late goal faze them.

“Just win and get it done,” Reilly said.

The Pioneers now play for ultimate bragging rights this Saturday, looking to rewrite history as it’s their first trip back to the big game since losing back-to-back finals in 2006 and 2007.

Mark Aboyoun is a New Jersey born sports writer at The Daily Item. Aboyoun is a graduate of Saint Joseph’s University ’18 and went on to earn his Juris Doctor at Western New England School of Law in 2021.

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