DAN OLIVEIRA scored a clutch goal late to seal NR’s first round win over Triton on June 9. (File Photo)

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

READING — Last Saturday afternoon, the North Reading High boys’ lacrosse team made the short bus trip to Reading to take on Austin Prep in an MIAA Division 3 Round of 16 game.

The host Cougars, a team out of the Catholic Central League, ended the season for the Hornets winning 16-4.

With the defeat, the 23rd-seeded Hornets ended the season at 10-11. Meanwhile, the 7th-seeded Cougars improved to 14-6 as they played No. 2 Norwell in the quarterfinals on June 15 (results not available at press time).

“They have an excellent team,” admitted Hornets head coach Chuck Campobasso. “They don’t turn the ball over and controlled the face-offs. They also have spread-out scoring.”

Austin Prep, who was up 5-0 after the first quarter, led, 8-3, at the half as they scored the eighth goal with one second left in the second quarter.

The Cougars then increased their lead to 12-4 after the third quarter.

The four North Reading goals were scored by Logan Lamont, Sam Morelli, Teddy Suny and Dan Oliveira.

Hornet goalie, Andrew Peppe, made 12 saves to finish at 10-11 in net.

In the Round of 32 game on June 9, the Hornets beat host Triton, 9-6, up in Byfield. North Reading ended up going 3-0 against the 10th-seeded Vikings this season.

Triton ended the year at 10-9.

The Hornets led this game 7-3 at the break but the hosts fought back and cut the lead to 7-5 after the third quarter. JP Trojan, then scored his fourth goal of the day 18 seconds into the fourth to cut the lead to one.

North Reading responded as Suny and Oliveira scored back-to-back goals to make it 9-6. Olivera’s tally came with 3:48 remaining.

Peppe was clutch in this game with 15 saves.

“It was a hard-fought game like the first two this year,” said Campobasso. “Like I said when we found out we were playing them, it is always tough to beat a team three times in a season.”

Campobasso was also very pleased with the way senior defenseman Aidan Smith played as he shut down the Vikings’ top scorer Jared Leonard.

“He did a great job against him in all three games,” said Campobasso.