HORNET VS. HORNET. Patrick Riley (25) blocks his Manchester-Essex opponent from the goal. (John Friberg Photo)

HORNET VS. HORNET. Patrick Riley (25) blocks his Manchester-Essex opponent from the goal. (John Friberg Photo)

By DAN NUNN

Squander Lead to Pentucket

NORTH READING — The Hornets squandered a three goal fourth quarter lead in their 7-6 home loss to the Pentucket Sachems on May 5. Senior Christian Jessop led the way with 2 goals and 1 assist. Junior Nick Day chipped in with 3 assists and junior Brian Cotter added 2 goals.

North Reading had little to no attacking pressure in the first half. In the first quarter Pentucket controlled possession. But luckily for the Hornets the Sachems lone goal of the quarter came at 8:37 and the lead was just 1-0 after one. With under a minute left in the half and the score 2-0, senior captain Shane Bartlett finally got North Reading on the board at 55.6 mark. Unfortunately the Sachems answered just six seconds later with a goal right off the next faceoff to give Pentucket a 3-1 halftime lead.

The Hornets looked like a different team in the third quarter. After Jessop cut the deficit to 3-2 Murphy tied it on a beautiful goal at 6:14. Jessop made a great pass from behind the net to Murphy out front for a nice finish. At the 3:56 mark Cotter made it three unanswered goals with his blast to the top corner. North Reading took a 4-3 lead to the fourth quarter.

North Reading looked like they would run away with the game with goals at 8:39 and the 7:58 mark of the fourth to expand the lead to 6-3. But the Hornets couldn’t hold the lead. Pentucket controlled the game the rest of the way. The Sachems closed the game with four straight goals enroute to the 7-6 victory.

Crushed by Chieftains 11-3

The Masconomet Chieftains extended the Hornets losing streak to four games with their 11-3 victory over North Reading on Thursday. Juniors Brad Lumb, Nick Day and Nate Distasio were the goal scorers for the Hornets.

North Reading was shutout in the first quarter and found themselves down 3-0 after one. Things got even worse in the second quarter. Masco jumped all over the Hornets outscoring them 6 to 1 enroute to a 9-1 halftime lead. The eight goal lead was never threatened in the second half. Both teams scored twice to make it an 11-3 final.