After press time:
North Reading falls to Lynnfield 11-10 (May 7)
North Reading falls to Newburyport 16-1 (May 3)
North Reading defeats Winthrop 9-2 (May 1)

 

 

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

WILMINGTON — On Monday afternoon, the North Reading High girls’ lacrosse team edged host Wilmington, 9-8, in a non-league game.

Alaina Driscoll was the hero scoring the game-winning goal with 1:40 left in the fourth quarter.

The Hornets led 5-3 at the break as they were outscored by one in the second half.

“We had more chances than they did but we hit the post four times,” explained Hornets head coach Matt Costello. “We also gave them too many eight-meter shots and we have to clean that up.”

Driscoll, the team’s top scorer, led the team in goals with four while Addie Hajj had three. Mak Murphy and Abby McInerney had the two other Hornet goals.

Eva Cannalonga added one assist.

Hornet goalie, Kaitlyn Supple, made 10 saves as her record improved to 3-6.

“Kaitlin was awesome,” stated Costello.

With the win, the Hornets improved to 3-6 as they snapped their six game losing streak. The Wildcats, a team out of the Middlesex League, fell to 1-9 with the loss.

On April 27, the Hornets fell to guest Bedford, 15-1, in another non-league game.

“We knew it was going to be a tough battle for us,” said Costello, who acknowledged that the Dual County League, which Bedford plays in, is the best league in the state. “They have a lot of star power.”

The Buccaneers took control of this game in the first half as they went to halftime up 11-1.

Driscoll had the lone Hornet goal and that was unassisted.

On April 26, the Hornets lost at Ipswich, 12-1, to fall to 1-5 in the Cape Ann League.

“They reached the Division 4 state finals last year (10-9 loss to Dover-Sherborn) and a lot of their key players returned,” explained Costello. “They are super fast and very athletic.”

The Tigers improved to 7-0 overall and 5-0 in the CAL with that win.

Driscoll had the team’s lone goal, again, and Supple made five saves in net.

Before the game, the two teams dedicated this game as the Morgan’s Message Foundation Mental Health Awareness game named in the memory of the former Duke lacrosse play.

“It was very powerful,” said Costello, about the presentation before the game.

On May 3, the Hornets host Newburyport at 4:15 p.m.

They then face Lynnfield on May 7 at UMass-Lowell at 4:30 p.m. as the Hornets will be the home team.

“We are looking forward to playing there,” said Costello.