Published in the November 3, 2016 edition

FOUR HORNET PLAYERS were named to the Cape Ann League All Star Team. From left: Patrick Davis, Anthony Tramontozzi, Cam Davis, Liam Rutherford (all seniors). North Reading is part of the Kinney Division (large schools) which was defeated by the Baker Division (small schools) 3–0, at Triton Regional High School. (Courtesy Photo)

FOUR HORNET PLAYERS were named to the Cape Ann League All Star Team. From left: Patrick Davis, Anthony Tramontozzi, Cam Davis, Liam Rutherford (all seniors). North Reading is part of the Kinney Division (large schools) which was defeated by the Baker Division (small schools) 3–0, at Triton Regional High School. (Courtesy Photo)

By DAN NUNN

NORTH READING — Talk about seizing the day. The NRHS varsity boys soccer team went on a tear to end the regular season with three straight victories over Lynnfield, Dracut and St. Mary’s of Lynn, boosting their season record to 9–7–2 and punching their ticket to the MIAA tourney for the seventh straight season. The boys now await the state tournament seedings to determine their next game.

Pound Pioneers 3–0

The Hornets used three second half goals to beat the rival Lynnfield Pioneers 3–0 on October 25. Senior Cam Davis led the way with a goal and an assist. Junior Burke Riesenberg earned his first varsity shutout in net.

After a scoreless first half the Hornet offense caught fire in the second. The scoring started when Cam Davis hit a beautiful low cross from the right side of the field into the penalty area to Tramontozzi who calmly hit a half-volley into the bottom left corner of the net.

Minutes later the Hornets added goal number two on a corner kick. On the play junior Nick Catino saw that the Lynnfield keeper was playing off his line and sent the corner directly at the net. Catino’s in swinger beat the keeper, bounced off a defender at the far post and into the net.

The third goal was a thing of beauty. Senior captain Jenson Kaithamattam found Cam Davis 30 yards from goal just wider than the right post. With no pass available Davis picked his spot and hit a bullet to the top left corner that the keeper had no shot at saving. The defense of seniors David Brown, Liam Rutherford, Cam Wade, George Giunta and junior Nick Carpenter stood strong the rest of the way to preserve the shutout victory.

Down Dracut to Qualify for States

The Hornets celebrated Senior Day with a 3–1 victory over the Dracut Middies on Saturday to qualify for the state tournament for a seventh consecutive season. Seniors Patrick Davis, Anthony Tramontozzi and Antonio Catino scored for North Reading.

The scoring started in the 10th minute when senior midfielder Zach Robarts found fellow senior Patrick Davis at the top of penalty area for a one time finish for the first goal of his varsity career. 8 minutes later Tramontozzi got free inside the penalty area and got off a good shot but hit the post. Fortunately Catino was there to finish off the rebound. Tramontozzi increased the lead to 3–0 when Catino sent him a pass and was able to keep the ball inside the post for his third goal in three games.

Dracut, who also needed a win to qualify for the tournament, came out with renewed energy in the second half and kept the Hornets on their heels. Suddenly Burke Riesenberg was extremely busy and was forced to make four huge saves. In the 61st minute Dracut did manage to get on the board. But that would be their final push and the game ended 3–1.

Sting Spartans 2–0 in regular season finale

In their season finale on Tuesday afternoon the Hornets beat the Catholic Central League champion St. Mary’s Spartans 2–0 for their fourth win in a row. During the winning streak NRHS has outscored their opponents 11–3.

North Reading scored both goals in the first half. Goal number one came in the 13th minute when Cam Davis fired a shot from the top of the box that the goalie got a piece of but Tramontozzi was there to score on the rebound. In the 25th minute David Tingley headed the ball that the Spartan keeper made a superb save on that junior Ian Branconnier potted the rebound.