Published September 5, 2019
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — Andrea Slaven is back for her third season as the head coach of the North Reading High field hockey team this year. Last fall, the Hornets finished 4-11-3 overall and 4-11-2 in the Cape Ann League.
Nine seniors from that squad graduated but 12 veterans came back when camp opened on Aug. 22.
Three of those veterans are this year’s senior captains: Emma Lord (midfield), Jeny Collins (forward), and Maggie Majeski (defense).
“It is nice that we have the three captains who play in three different areas of the field,” said Slaven.
AVA CZARNOTA (18) and captain Jeny Collins (4) are two of North Reading’s 12 returning players in 2019. (John Friberg File Photo).
The four other 12th-graders back are Leah Corvino (forward), Makenna Lamont (midfield), Julia Smith (defense) and Julia DiNapoli (midfield).
Five juniors are back headed by the two CAL Second-Team All-Stars from last year, Rees Lord and Ava Czarnota. Lord is a midfielder while Czarnota is a forward.
Emma Borland (goalie), Paige Thibedeau (forward) and Morgan Majeski (forward) are the other three juniors back. Morgan Majeski is Maggie’s younger sister.
Slaven decided to allow her older players to become tutors for the younger plays during the preseason
“We had our upperclassmen teach the fundamentals to our new players,” said Slaven.
On Aug. 28, the Hornets hosted Georgetown in their first scrimmage in the rain. Two days later, the team went to Lexington to compete in a Jamboree.
THE HORNET varsity field hockey team was up with the sun on Saturday preparing to hold nothing back in their goal of reaching states this season. North Reading starts their season Thursday at Pentucket. (NRHS Field Hockey Photo)
They faced Lexington, Winchester, Newburyport and Georgetown again and went 2-0-1.
“I think we are going to be a tough competitor this year,” stated Slaven. “Our goal will be to reach the tournament.”
It has been a very long time since the Hornets have actually qualified for states.
“We hope to try and split against the Kinney division teams and win our games against the Baker division games,” explained Slaven.
North Reading will play home-and-home games against the CAL Kinney division and only one game against the Baker division this fall.
Just like last year, the Hornets will play 18 regular season games.
They open the 2019 campaign on Thursday (Sept. 5) as they take on Pentucket at Amesbury Sports Park. They then go to Lynnfield next Monday afternoon. The home opener is on Sept. 11 as they welcome Masconomet.
All three games will start at 3:45 p.m.
