A STRONG SEASON for the NRHS field hockey team came to an end on Nov. 7 with a 3-2 loss to Bedford in the Div. 3 Round of 16. The Hornets finished the 2024 campaign at 14-4-2. (Eric Evans Photo)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — The season came to an end for the North Reading High field hockey team on Nov. 7 as they fell to visiting Bedford, 3-2, in the MIAA Division 3 Round of 16 game.
With the loss, the 6th-seeded Hornets ended the year at 14-4-2. The 10th-seeded Buccaneers, meanwhile, ended up losing 8-0 at Watertown in the quarterfinals last Saturday to end the year at 14-3-2.
The Hornets got off to a slow start as Bedford scored twice in the first quarter. Sophia Demeo had the first Bucs tally while Elora Fennell scored the second one.
Both goals came off of corners as the first goal came with 11:30 left and the second one came with 7:27 remaining.
In the second quarter, the Hornets cut the lead to one as senior captain Ellie Moberg scored, unassisted.
SENIOR CAPTAIN Ellie Moberg scored NR’s first goal in their final state tournament game against Bedford. (Eric Evans Photo)
The score stayed that way until early in the forth quarter when Bedford’s Stella Day scored to make it 3-1 just 35 seconds in.
The Hornets cut the lead to one when sophomore Willow Reyen found the back of the Bucs net with 8:14 remaining but were unable to get the game-tying tally as the guests were able to hold on.
North Reading junior goalie, Thea Panousos, made four saves, as she ended up at 14-4-2 in net.
“I thought that Bedford came out strong and ready to fight,” said Hornets head coach Mikayla Allen. “They had done their research and anticipated almost every move. Unfortunately, we did not come together until the second quarter. It was a tough way to end the season, but our girls played a strong second half.”
