THE HORNETS left it all on the field in their quarterfinal matchup in Medfield on Nov. 13. Pictured from left to right is the starting lineup, Matt Fleury, Nico Lopes, Davi Leao, Max Gulino, Davide Rosati, Kieran Miller, Finn Rodger, Duncan Gulino, Jackson Wesley, Gavin Wesley and Cam Parrett. (Eric Evans Photo)

 

 

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

MEDFIELD — A memorable season came to an end for the North Reading High boys’ soccer team on Nov. 13 as they were edged by host Medfield, 2-1, in the MIAA Division 3 state quarterfinals on a chilly evening.

This game was scoreless at the half as Medfield never trailed.

In the fifth minute of the second half, the Warriors broke the ice as Sebastian Brooke took a crossing pass from Charlie Curmi and scored.

Curmi then got fouled in the box and was awarded a penalty kick with 14:20 remaining in the game. He beat Hornet goalie Cam Parrett on the right side to make it 2-0 as that turned out to be the eventual game-winning goal.

With a little over nine minutes left, Nico Lopes intercepted a Warrior clearing attempt and found the back of the net to cut the lead to one.

 

NICHOLAS LOPES scored NR’s goal in their quarterfinal game in Medfield last week. (Eric Evans Photo)

 

From there, the hosts were able to hold on.

“We had more chances, especially in the first half,” said Hornets head coach Mark Bisognano. “In the second half, Finn (Rodger) hit the post on the left side and that was our best chance in that half.”

North Reading had 13 total shots with six of them on net as Warrior goalie, Elliot Leong, had five stops. Medfield had five shots with three on goal as Parrett made one save.

“That save Cam made was outstanding,” stated Bisognano, as that stop occurred in the opening half and kept the game scoreless.

Despite the result, Bisognano was pleased with his squad’s efforts.

“We played a really good game,” he said. “Curmi is a beast at 6’2 and 195 pounds and we were able to keep him in check with the exception of the foul in the box.”

The defeat was the first one for the 6th-seeded Hornets as they ended the year at 18-1-2.

Third-seeded Medfield, meanwhile took on Dover-Sherborn in the state semifinal game on Nov. 19 (results not available at press time).

 

NORTH READING and Medfield battled for possession throughout a great matchup in the Div. 3 state quarterfinals on Nov. 13. (Eric Evans Photo)