Published in the October 8, 2015 edition
TOE TO TOE. Junior Midfielder (number 11), Haley Nathan pushes the ball upfield against her Ipswich opponent. (Courtesy Photo)
By DAN NUNN
Blank Ipswich, 3–0
NORTH READING — The Hornets extended their unbeaten streak to six games with their 3–0 road victory over the Ipswich Tigers on Monday. Senior Jill Comeau, junior Marissa Zarella and sophomore Karlie Vesey scored for North Reading. Junior goalie Katerina Hassapis recorded her second straight shutout and fifth overall.
The backline of junior Giana Moscaritolo, sophomore Kirsten Bradley and junior Jessica Muise were rock solid and held Ipswich at bay the entire game. After a scoreless first half the match finally turned in North Reading’s favor on their 12th shot of the game.
In the 63rd minute Vesey received a pass from senior Maddie Syer 25 yards out, turned into the box and beat the Ipswich goalie. In the 73rd minute Zarella extended the lead. After beating the last defender Zarella was fouled in the box and finished off the ensuing penalty. Comeau put an exclamation point on the victory in the 78th minute when she buried a direct free kick for the 3–0 win.
Sneak Past Manchester-Essex, 2–1
Behind Marissa Zarella’s two goal performance the Hornets beat the Manchester–Essex Hornets 2–1 for their fourth straight victory.
North Reading came out strong and scored 10 minutes into the match. Rachel Hill served a well-placed ball to Zarella who dribbled 30 yards with a defender draped on her back and beat the Manchester-Essex goalie. Late in the first half Zarella extended the lead with almost a carbon copy of her first goal off service from sophomore Jerlin Kaithamattam. The lead remained 2–0 at the half.
The tenor of the game changed quickly in the second half. Just one minute into the half Manchester-Essex got on the board. After a North Reading turnover at midfield, Manchester-Essex scored on a quick counter attack. The early tally increased the pressure on the Hornets. Fortunately North Reading hung on and escaped with the victory.
Rout Royals, 5–1
The Lady Hornets continue to be red hot winning their fifth game with their 5–1 rout of the Georgetown Royals on Friday afternoon. Senior Marina Govostes, junior Hayley Nathan, Marissa Zarella, Karlie Vesey and sophomore Rachel Hill all scored for North Reading. With the win they improve to 7–1–1.
North Reading scored three times in the first half. Govostes opened the scoring when she beat the Royals keeper to the lower right hand corner of the net. A short time later Nathan buried a shot under the crossbar to extend the lead to 2–0. Then with less than 2 minutes left in the first half Zarella added another score to give the Hornets a 3–0 halftime lead. Hill and Vesey finished off the scoring with their goals in the second half.
