THE NRHS girls’ soccer team celebrated their seniors before a 5-0 win over Rockport on Oct. 21. The Hornets found out their state tournament seeding on Wednesday after press time. Pictured in the front row from left to right are Maya Nickerson, Maggie Fortin, captain Tiara Lamont, captain Jenna DiNapoli, Erica Pepper and Sophia Barker. In the back row from left to right are manager Meredith Casey, Kiera Osterlind, Sami Patch, Liv Vasquez, Alyssa Bradley, Brynn McCormack and Kylie Gettings. (Courtesy Photo)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
PEABODY — In their final game of the regular season, the North Reading High girls’ soccer team blanked host Bishop Fenwick, 4-0, over in Peabody on Oct. 29. With that non-league win, the Hornets ended up at 14-3-1 overall.
The Hornets scored twice in each half. In the first half, Jenna DiNapoli had the first goal assisted by fellow senior captain, Tiara Lamont, at the 21:10 mark. Exactly 18 minutes later, Allie Lanciani made it 2-0 assisted by Kiersten Higgins.
DiNapoli had an unassisted goal 6:45 into the second half for the third one. The final tally came with 9:55 left in the game as Sami Patch scored with Belle Lazure getting credit for the assist.
Hornet goalie, Maggie Schultz, made four saves to go to 14-3-1.
“After our big win on Thursday (over Pentucket), it was important for the team to get back to work and continue to play well as we prepare for the tournament,” said North Reading head coach Sean Killeen.
In their final Cape Ann League game on Oct. 27, the Hornets won, 3-1, over host Pentucket up in West Newbury. That victory gave the locals a final mark of 10-3-1 in the Cape Ann League as they finished in third place in the CAL Kinney Division behind Newburyport and Pentucket.
North Reading was able to split the season series against the Panthers who won, 2-0, in the first meeting on Oct. 12.
Jamie Dahlgard scored, unassisted, at the 17-minute mark of the first half to gave the Panthers an early, 1-0, advantage.
Bella Cannalonga tied the game up at the 31:37 mark and her goal was unassisted as well.
Lanciani scored the eventual-game winning goal early in the second half at the 42:55 mark assisted by Sophia Barker.
Patch had the final goal assisted by Alyssa Bradley and Alexandra Sfikas at 58:10.
Schultz had a big day with 12 stops in net.
“This is a very balanced team that can utilize a lot of players in different positions to change the pace of the game,” said Killeen, about his squad. “They are fun to coach with a strong senior presence and team chemistry. We will need the seniors to lead through the tournament as the intensity will continue to increase every day.”
The Hornets entered this week ranked 13th by the MIAA in the Division 3 power rankings. They will likely get to host their first-round playoff game (date and time unknown as of press time).
