KAITLYN SUPPLE played well in her final game as a Hornet, earning 9 saves against Lynnfield in the first round of the Div. 4 State Tournament. (Eric Evans File Photo)

 

 

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

LYNNFIELD — In their regular season meeting, the North Reading High girls’ lacrosse team was edged by rival Lynnfield, 11-10, at UMass-Lowell back on May 7.

The Hornets got matched up with the Pioneers again on June 2 in the first round of the MIAA Division 4 State Tournament.

The host Pioneers were able to win this game as well, 16-12, as they swept the Hornets this year.

In the first match-up, the game was back-and-fourth. However, in this game, Lynnfield was in control until the Hornets made a comeback in the fourth quarter.

The Pioneers led 10-5 at the half and they were able to extend the lead to 16-7 after the third quarter.

In the fourth, the Hornets rallied, scoring the game’s final five goals but it was too little, too late.

“We dug ourselves too much of a hole,” admitted Hornets head coach Matt Costello. “I was proud of how we played in the fourth quarter never giving up.”

The key to the Pioneers’ win, according to Costello, was in face-offs as Lynnfield dominated the territorial play in the first three quarters.

“We got outmatched in the draw controls,” said Costello.

With the loss, the 20th-seeded Hornets ended the 2024 campaign at 6-14. Meanwhile, the 13th-seeded Pioneers improved to 10-11 as they played Ipswich in the Round of 16 on June 5 (results not available at press time).

Sophomore Alaina Driscoll led the Hornet attack with five goals while sophomore Abby McInerney finished with four points as she had two goals and two assists.

Sophomore Mikaela O’Driscoll had one goal and one assist while single goals were scored by senior captain Grace Terranova, junior captain Lindsey Rosenthal, sophomore Makenzie Murphy and sophomore Addie Hajj.

Hornet goalie, senior captain Kaitlyn Supple, made nine saves.

“This was her best game of the season,” stated Costello. “She also had two hockey-assists in the game as well.”

Freshman Hayden Valiton led Lynnfield’s offense with eight goals while freshman Ava Damiani had four goals and three assists.