By DAN NUNN
ROYAL ROUT. Hornet junior Tom Lewis (5) blocks his Georgetown opponent from the ball in North Reading’s 3–0 win. (John Intorcio Photo)
Sting Manchester-Essex 4-0
NORTH READING — The Hornets downed the previously unbeaten and CAL Baker-leading Manchester-Essex Hornets 4-0 in their soccer matchup on September 22. Senior Jake Intorcio was the leading scorer with two goals.
The North Reading offense got started quickly in the first half. In the third minute senior Zack Herman found Intorcio on a through ball and Intorcio beat the on-rushing goalie to make it 1-0. The Hornets kept the pressure up and were rewarded with their second goal in the 16th minute. Junior Killian Daly made a nice pass to Intorcio who dribbled around two defenders and blasted a shot into the back of net. It was a 2-0 game at the half.
The Hornets started the second half the same way they started the first. In the 43rd minute senior captain Dan Coveney took a pass from senior captain Adam Sapp and ripped a shot into the top corner past the outstretched goalie.
Seven minutes later senior captain Greg Landry closed the scoring when he quickly took a free kick and beat the unsuspecting goalie. They coasted the rest of the way to the 4-0 victory.
Fly past Royals 3-0
With two second-half goals the Hornets beat the Georgetown Royals 3-0 on the road on September 24. Jake Intorcio continued his stellar start to the season with a goal and assist, his sixth goal and third assist of the season.
The offense got off to a slow start having to adjust to difficult playing conditions. But in the 17th minute the hard work paid off with the game’s first goal. Intorcio beat his defender down the right side, touched the ball past the goalie and hit the post. Luckily Adam Sapp gathered the rebound and finished off the goal. The Hornets took a 1-0 lead into the half.
North Reading took control in the second half. In the 53rd Intorcio and Killian Daly connected for a beautiful goal. Intorcio allowed the ball to roll to Daly who in turn dribbled around a defender and sent a hard, low cross back to Intorcio for the goal. Ten minutes later junior Nicky Govostes closed the scoring when he executed a perfect chip over the charging goalie’s head just under the crossbar.
Fall to Beverly 2-1
The Hornets’ three-game winning streak was snapped by the Beverly Panthers on Saturday afternoon. Adam Sapp scored the lone goal for North Reading.
Upcoming games
The Hornets hosted Rockport under the lights Tuesday night (after press time). Today (Oct. 2) they host Amesbury at 4:30 p.m. at the Arthur J. Kenney Field. On Monday, they’ll travel to rival Lynnfield country for an off-campus game at 3:45 p.m. at Jordan Park, the Pioneers’ temporary home during the construction of new turf fields at LHS.
