RallyNorth.net

Saturday night’s contest between the Manchester Essex and Lynnfield football teams was a tale of two games.

The Hornets had struggled to mount any offense for the first 40 minutes and found themselves trailing Lynnfield 14-0, with just four minutes to go in the game. It looked as if the Pioneers were going to cruise to a shutout victory.

Hamilton-Wenham (1-1) held on to a one-goal lead to secure a 2-1 win over Lynnfield (0-2). Goalie Emily Helming scooped up 18 saves and Bianca Vecchiarello and Kristen Brao put two past Lynnfield's keeper to earn the victory.

Kayla Jernegan scored twice and Erica Giovaniello added an insurance marker as Ipswich cruised to a 3-1 win over Lynnfield. Tess Falabella, Melanie McFayden and Elita Nicholson set up the Ipswich goals, while Lia Webb made 18 saves in the win.

GEORGETOWN | Georgetown certainly knows how to get the most out of its limited resources.

Working with 36 dressed players in heat exhaustion-type conditions, the Royals utilized every part of their unit while riding the hot hand and fast footwork of quarterback Joe Esposito to a 28-20 season-opening win over Lynnfield.

Ipswich dropped its season opener on the road, 2-1 to Lynnfield. The Pioneers jumped out a 2-0 lead before the Tigers (0-1) answered with a goal by Kelly Gallanar off an assist from Chelsey Macklin. Ipswich goalie Kati McKinney made eight saves in the loss.

LYNNFIELD | Bad weather is often considered an equalizer, but just as often it's a magnifier. One slight mistake in executing a play can be compounded into lost yardage or even a turnover. Conversely, if one is able to rise above the conditions and shine, positive results will most likely be even greater.