Published in the November 19, 2015 edition
JUBILANT HORNETS. NRHS girls varsity soccer captains with the Division 3 North championship trophy. Left to right: Katie Welch, Jordan Schille, and Jill Comeau.(John Friberg Photo)
By DAN NUNN
Down unbeaten Hamilton-Wenham in shootout in North semifinals
LYNN — The Lady Hornets upended the previously unbeaten and first overall seed Hamilton-Wenham Generals 1-0 (5-4) in a penalty shootout in the Division 3 North semifinals at Manning Field in Lynn on November 10. Senior Jill Comeau scored the winning penalty.
The Hornets dominated play and controlled possession in the first half but didn’t create quality scoring chances. Heavy rain greeted both teams in the second half and the action slowed down. Both teams had their chances but couldn’t find the back of the net and the game headed for overtime. The best scoring opportunity in extra time came in the second overtime when the Generals clanked a shot off the crossbar in the 95th minute.
After a scoreless overtime the game was forced to go to penalty kicks to decide a winner. Junior goalkeeper Katerina Hassapis was the first shooter, buried her shot and saved Hamilton-Wenham’s first attempt to give the Hornets a 1-0 lead after one round.
THE GAME WINNER. Junior Haley Nathan (11) celebrates her goal that put North Reading ahead to stay, 2-1. Number 4 for Hornets is sophomore Meredith Griffin. (John Friberg Photo)
Each team scored on their next three attempts and in the fifth round Katie Welch had a chance to end it. Unfortunately she hit the crossbar. The Generals scored on their attempt and the shootout kept going. Comeau scored next and it was 5-4 North Reading. Hamilton-Wenham missed on their attempt and the Hornets escaped with the upset victory.
Sink Bishop Fenwick in North final
The Hornets won their first–ever Division 3 North Championship crown in program history by defeating the Bishop Fenwick Crusaders 2-1 at Manning Field on Sunday. Junior Haley Nathan scored the game winner.
After an early chance for North Reading, the Crusaders spent most of the half in the Hornets’ end. The defense held tough and it looked like the half would end scoreless. But in stoppage time junior Marissa Zarella sent a beautiful touch pass to sophomore Rachel Hill who slid the ball past the on-rushing keeper to give North Reading a 1-0 halftime lead.
The lead didn’t last that far into the second half. In the 49th minute senior Danielle DelToro sent in a perfect cross from along the sideline to senior Colleen Corcoran, who blasted a superb one- time volley into the back of the net for the tying goal.
The goal didn’t faze the Hornets and they responded in the 57th minute. Hill sent a through ball to Nathan who streaked into the box and finished past the goalie for the go ahead goal. Fenwick pushed for the equalizer the rest of the game but North Reading held them back. As the final whistle blew the Hornets stormed the field and celebrated.
Div. 3 State semifinalists
The Lady Hornets moved on to play Medway, the South Division 3 sectional champions, on Wednesday night (after press time) in the Division 3 State semifinals, returning to Manning Field for a third time. The winner of this game will face the winner of the Central (Millbury) vs. West (Granby) State semifinals game for the Division 3 State Championship title. The date and time of this game will be announced on www.miaa.net.
