Published October 8, 2020
By DAN NUNN
NORTH READING — In a season unlike any other, in the face of uncertainty due to the fluid COVID-19 situation, the Hornets, who return seven starters, look ready for a strong campaign.
“We have an experienced team but it is still a young team,” said head coach Mark Bisognano. “Despite the mixture of ages everyone seems to be on the same page and right now I am impressed by the sum of our parts.
“The biggest challenge will be actually having the season but right now things have been going well. The game will be different with the modifications that have been made at the state level, but we are all just happy to be having a chance to compete no matter what rule changes are in place.”
Seniors Nick Pasquale, John Tramontozzi, and Sam McGeachie; juniors Cody Cannalonga, Kiernan Schulz, Alex Carpenter and sophomore Josh Stanieich return to the fold. Mark Tramontozzi missed last season due to injury, but he is back at full strength and he was a starter in 2018, so he brings back experience as well.
Seniors Joey Caviasca, Maguire Koepke and Gavin Tingley, and juniors Jake Mikulski, Landon Phillips, and Quinn Riesenberg all return with some form of varsity experience.
John Tramontozzi, Mark Tramontozzi, Pasquale and McGeachie are the captains.
“They are a solid group of leaders who have earned the respect of their teammates by their willingness to put the team first,” said Bisognano.
Stanieich, who led the Hornets with 10 goals last year, will be a key cog on offense alongside Schulz and McGeachie. Mark Tramontozzi was one of the leading scorers back in 2018 and will be expected to shoulder some of the load as well. Bisognano hopes that Mikulski, Carpenter, Phillips, and sophomore newcomers Jason Emerson and Rob Corvino will be able to chip in as well.
Sophomore Kieran Gorgenyi will serve as the starting goalkeeper. According to Bisognano, the varsity newcomer reads the game well, is a good shot stopper and distributes the ball very well.
On defense, John Tramontozzi is entering his third year as a starter and Pasquale and Cannalonga are entering their second year as starters. Schulz and McGeachie will figure in as important pieces both defensively and offensively.
North Reading tied their season opener against Newburyport, 1-1. McGeachie scored the goal. The Hornets hosted Triton on Wednesday after press time and are scheduled to travel to Lynnfield on Saturday at 2 p.m.
