LYNNFIELD — When a team has its Senior Night, you could say there is pressure involved. One would think that every player, coach, and spectator wants to give the seniors one last hoorah.

Lynnfield’s field hockey team welcomed traditional archrival North Reading – the top-ranked team in the Cape Ann League – to Pioneer Stadium on Wednesday. Led by its five seniors, Lynnfield defeated North Reading, 2-1, in a closely-contested clash. 

Captains Taylor Valiton and Gia Marotta spoke about the team’s mindset heading in.

“I think everyone wanted to come into the game and be open-minded,” Valiton said. “We all stayed very positive throughout the entire game. No one failed or gave up on each other. Even though some quarters weren’t the best, everyone stayed together.”

“We came in with a positive mindset,” Marotta said. “I think we stayed very calm and knew that we were capable of winning again, since we beat them last time.”

The Pioneers dominated time of possession in the first half. That control resulted in a goal at the 5:22 mark of the second quarter. The ball fell to freshman Sophia Morgese, who fired one home for an early cushion (1-0).

“I think it was huge for momentum,” said first-year Lynnfield coach Kerri Doherty. “We’re definitely successful when we do get on the board first, and it’s also about matching our opponent’s energy. Even at practice, we talk about a game at a time and a quarter at a time.” 

Finding their footing in the second half, the Hornets threw a few tricky shots toward Lynnfield goalie Lauren MacDonald (8 saves, 4 corner saves). North Reading did find the back of the net, however, through Alaina Driscoll with 12:33 remaining in the third. 

“I think we realized what we needed to do and we refocused,” MacDonald said. “We knew we had to score again and we knew what was at stake.”

Well, she was right. Seven minutes later, Cameron Munion – off an assist from Valiton – scored the game-winning goal to put the pressure on the visitors.

After the goal, North Reading continued to create chances, but couldn’t get past MacDonald and the defense.

Despite all of the pressure Lynnfield faced in the closing moments, Doherty was proud of her team’s “poise” in handling said pressure. 

“There is a certain momentum involved in field hockey. It’s knowing when to settle, when to be smart mentally, and when to clear the balls out – especially when you’re under pressure,” she said. “It’s a lot of mental toughness, which we talk about at practice. I can’t speak highly enough of our team’s poise. We had the ball tonight under pressure, but they all had poise on the ball and were being smart with the ball, finding the right pass and clearing it when they needed to.” 

When asked about her five seniors (Valiton, Marotta, MacDonald, Libby Considine, Chloe Gromko), Doherty said their leadership “has been amazing.

“All five of them start this year – which is incredible – but their dedication and what they bring each and every day to practice is irreplaceable,” Doherty said. “We put the work in at practice and get to have fun on the field. I’m very proud of them and couldn’t have asked for better seniors for my first year.”