Sutton’s field hockey team, ranked No. 3 in Division 4, defeated No. 6 Lynnfield by a score of 2-0 in a regular-season matchup back in October. And in Sunday afternoon’s matchup for all the marbles, history repeated itself.
With goose eggs at the end of the first quarter, Sutton struck first, courtesy of Camryn Kinne with a minute remaining in the first half. Lynnfield took the field for the third quarter a player down. That’s because Gia Marotta was out after a “questionably-called” penalty card, according to first-year Lynnfield coach Kerri 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,” Doherty said. “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 today.”
The Pioneers finished with a tremendous record of 14-4-3 behind Doherty, while Sutton advanced to the Round of 8 to face No. 2 Monomoy.
“Excellent season. I’m very proud of these kids and I’m blessed to have had the opportunity to coach this team this year,” Doherty said. “Commendable play by all of the seniors who left their hearts on the field today.”
