Published in the April 7, 2016 edition

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

NORTH READING — Samantha Whitney is back for her second season as head coach of the North Reading High girls lacrosse team. In her first year, the Hornets went 3-–12 overall and 1–8 in the Cape Ann League Kinney division.

Two members from that team graduated but 15 veterans return. Two of them are the senior captains, Katie Welch (midfielder) and Julia Meile (defenseman). Welch led the team in points with 44 as she had 28 goals and 16 assists

The four other seniors back are Anna Tayas (defenseman), Tristan Hoffman (midfielder), Gretchen Burgholzer (midfielder) and Hanna Lally (attacker).

It was a short preseason for the team as they had only ten days from their first practice to their opening game.

“We had 55 girls tryout and that was fantastic,” said Whitney, a health teacher at North Reading High. “We really connected well and we have good depth this year.”

On March 31, the Hornets opened the season in grand fashion as they rolled over host Revere, 16–4, in a non-league game.

“Everybody got in,” pointed out Whitney, as her squad led, 12–3, at the half.

Burgholzer led the offense with five goals and one assists. Welch finished with five points with three goals and a pair of assists while junior Erin Hunter also had a hat trick and two assists.

Freshman Chloe Copelas had a nice debut with a pair of goals while fellow ninth grader Brooke DeGrande scored once.

Hoffman and junior Gabby Lazaro had the two other goals.

Charlotte Grant, another freshman, played the first half in goal and made three saves to record her first-ever win. Junior Casey Sparkes was the goalie in the second half and only had to make one stop.

North reading is slated to play 16 games this spring which is one more than last season.