By DAN NUNN
HEAD AND SHOULDERS above the competition, Hornet John Lewis, (at left) scored five goals in North Reading’s 5–1 win over Ipswich. The Green and Gold improved to 8–2–2 with the win. (John Intorcio Photo)
Tie Lynnfield 2-2
LYNNFIELD — The Hornets boys’ soccer team earned a 2-2 tie against the rival Lynnfield Pioneers on October 6. Senior Jake Intorcio scored both goals.
Intorcio opened the scoring in the fifth minute when he took a nice pass from senior Zach Herman and got behind the defense. But less than a minute later the Pioneers tied it up on a perfectly placed shot from 20 yards away. Despite numerous scoring chances for North Reading the game remained 1-1 at the half.
The Hornets controlled play in the second half, but once again it was a story of missed opportunities. They hit the post and crossbar twice and the Lynnfield goalie made some spectacular saves to keep it deadlocked.
The Pioneers took the lead in the 71st minute and it looked like it would be a bitter loss for North Reading. Fortunately in the 76th minute Intorcio scored and the Hornets escaped with the draw.
Trounce Tigers 5-1
The Hornets qualified for the state tournament for the fifth straight season thanks to their 5-1 domination of the Ipswich Tigers on October 8. Junior Nick Govostes had a stellar game with one goal and three assists and senior Tom Lewis was the leading goal scorer with two goals.
Senior captain Dan Coveney quickly got the scoring started in the sixth minute. Govostes streaked past his defender and found a wide open Coveney who tapped it in off the near post. The offense kept up the pressure and was rewarded with another goal in the 13th minute when Lewis headed in a great service from Govostes.
But after the second tally the Hornets seemed to relent and allowed the Tigers to claw back into the game. In the 26th minute Ipswich scored on free kick that should have been saved, but somehow got past goalie Bill Brandano. The game was 2-1 at the half.
North Reading put the game away quickly in the second half. In the 42nd minute Govostes headed in a rebound after the Tigers goalie made two great saves. Under a minute later senior captain Alex Brown continued the onslaught and made it 4-1 when he scored off a corner. Lewis added a late goal to seal the win.
Rout Clippers 7-1
The Hornets extended their unbeaten streak to five games with their 7-1 rout of the Newburyport Clippers on Friday afternoon. Junior Jack Meaney, Dan Coveney and Jake Intorcio scored two goals each with Intorcio adding an assist. Intorcio now has 12 goals and 6 assists on the season.
North Reading scored early and often in the first half. They outscored Newburyport 5-1 and took that lead into the half. The Hornets would add two more goals in the second half to coast to the easy win.
The win improved the Hornets’ record to 9-1-2 in the CAL Large and 9-2-2 overall to remain in second place behind only Masconomet (11-0-1 & 13-0-1) with five regular season games remaining on the schedule.
Upcoming games
The Hornets hosted Triton on Tuesday (after press time) and take on the Hamilton-Wenham Generals today (Oct. 16) at 3:45 p.m. at Arthur J. Kenney Field. Next week they travel to Masconomet on Monday, Oct. 20 and Pentucket on Wednesday, Oct. 22 before wrapping up the regular season at home against Bishop Fenwick on Friday, Oct. 24 at 6 p.m.
