Latest Trending
Last Updated, Nov 14, 2023, 5:50 AM
Lynnfield brother and sister getting a kick out of MIAA soccer tournaments
Share This


LYNNFIELD — For a high school athlete, chasing a state championship is a big deal. But siblings chasing two titles at the same time? On the same field and day? That’s what Lynnfield’s Dylan and Ava Damiani are doing this fall. Dylan, a senior, is a center back on the boys soccer team, while sister Ava is a freshman speed demon on the girls team.

Both teams are in the final push towards what’s hoped will end with MIAA Division IV titles later this week. That push begins Tuesday night at Doyle Field in Leominster. The No. 4 girls will take on No. 1 South Hadley in the front end of a Final Four doubleheader at 4:30 p.m. with the No. 2 boys following at 6:30 against No. 3 Hampshire Regional.

Both Damiani’s played key roles in Saturday’s quarter-final victories at Pioneer Stadium. Dylan, a two-year varsity starter, sacrificed his body with a goal-saving slide tackle in the waning minutes of the Pioneers’ 2-1 win over Monument Mountain and was a key factor in neutralizing the high-flying Spartans’ offense.

Meanwhile, Ava got a starting nod up top in the girls game against Hamilton-Wenham, who came in undefeated. All she did was pick a ball out of the air and dish it to teammate Bella Carroll, who slammed it home late in the first half to extend the Pioneers’ lead over the Generals to 3-0 (final score, 4-0).

Dylan said that with boy-girl doubleheaders the last three weekends, he has enjoyed being able to watch Ava play. 

“She’s an exciting player to watch,” Dylan said. “I’ve actually been able to watch her score so that was awesome.”

Both teams have had spectacular seasons, posting identical 14-2-2 regular season records and scooping up a boatload of honors and awards along the way. A quick check of the championship banners hanging in the high school gymnasium suggests that this may be the first time the two teams have advanced to the Final Four in the same year. 

Making it this far in the same season had never happened before in the history of Lynnfield soccer according to Munroe and girls’ coach Mark Vermont.

“I’m positive it’s never happened before,” Munroe said. “I think it’s exciting for all the kids to be able to come out and root for each other’s teams. I’m happy with their success and it’s fun for the soccer community to be able to watch two games at one time. And it would be great if we both could win. And if not, we’re proud of where we are.”

“It’s a great opportunity for the kids on both teams and pretty special for the school,” Vermont said. “Brent and I know it’s never happened in Lynnfield before, so it’s cool to be doing it this year.”

The Damiani’s aren’t the only Lynnfield siblings chasing titles. Two-time captain Ally Sykes, a senior, and sophomore sister Bella Sykes and senior Addison Connelly and junior Katie Connelly are also in the mix.

“It would be awesome to win it with my sister,” Ally Sykes said, adding she has enjoyed having home boy-girl doubleheaders. “It’s been really good because we can see them play and a lot of former players from both teams have come out to watch us play.”

“The nice thing about it is that it’s really cool to play with a sibling. To have a run like this is something you will have forever,” Vermont said.

Ava said she cannot wait to take the field on Tuesday night and is confident the Pioneers have what it takes to win it all.

“I’m really excited about tomorrow’s game and I think it will be a great game. I’m super excited to see what it’s all about,” she said. “Playing on this team has been incredible. We all feel we can win so that’s what our focus has been and we know we can get it done.”

Dylan said the whole experience has been “really cool.”

“The house has been just thrilled to watch us play,” Dylan said. “Ava’s a freshman and she’s playing. Obviously, this is my last run but we’re all focused and ready to go.”

When asked what the mood might be in the Damiani household should one team come up short, Dylan said he’s not worried.

“We think we are definitely the best team in this tournament and the only team that is going to beat us is us. Obviously, they (the girls team) think the same way. If we both win, that would be great.”

Ava agrees – but definitely has added motivation. She admits there is “some serious rivalry” with her two brothers. 

“I think it would be great if Dylan and I can win so we can rub it in (older brother) Drew’s face because he never won it in his four years on the team,” Ava said. “Our team is going to win, so it will be me bragging to my brothers.”

Drew, their mom Jill, and dad Darren, who coaches the girls JV squad, will be cheering the team on Tuesday night. Darren will be on the sidelines with Vermont for the girls, game, then will move to the spectator side for the boys.

“It’s been a great season for both teams,” he said. “I’ve coached a lot of these kids since they were in the youth program and what they have done is amazing.”

  • Anne Marie Tobin

    Anne Marie Tobin is a sports reporter for the Item and sports editor of the Lynnfield and weeklies. She also serves as the associate editor of North Shore Golf magazine. Anne Marie joined the Weekly News staff in 2014 and Essex Media Group in 2016. A seven-time Massachusetts state amateur women’s golf champion and member of the Massachusetts Golf Association Hall of Fame, Tobin is graduate of Mount Holyoke College and Suffolk University Law School. She practiced law for 30 years before becoming a sports reporter. Follow her on Twitter at: @WeeklyNewsNow.





Source link

24World Media does not take any responsibility of the information you see on this page. The content this page contains is from independent third-party content provider. If you have any concerns regarding the content, please free to write us here: contact@24worldmedia.com

Latest Post

4 Advantages of Owning Your Own Dump Truck

Last Updated,Oct 4, 2024

5 Characteristics of Truth and Consequences in NM

Last Updated,Sep 30, 2024

How To Make Your Wedding More Accessible

Last Updated,Sep 11, 2024

Ensure Large-Format Printing Success With These Tips

Last Updated,Sep 11, 2024

4 Reasons To Consider an Artificial Lawn

Last Updated,Sep 11, 2024

The Importance of Industrial Bearings in Manufacturing

Last Updated,Sep 11, 2024

5 Tips for Getting Your First Product Out the Door

Last Updated,Sep 11, 2024

Most Popular Metal Alloys for Industrial Applications

Last Updated,Sep 6, 2024

5 Errors To Avoid in Your Pharmaceutical Clinical Trial

Last Updated,Aug 20, 2024

Ways You Can Make Your Mining Operation Cleaner

Last Updated,Aug 12, 2024

Tips for Starting a New Part of Your Life

Last Updated,Jul 16, 2024

Easy Ways To Beautify Your Home’s Exterior

Last Updated,Jun 18, 2024