THE NRHS field hockey team finished the regular season tied for 1st place in the CAL Kinney Division with an overall record of 13-3-2. Ranked No. 6 in the latest Div. 3 power rankings, the Hornets will get to host a first round state tournament game. The brackets were released after press time. (Eric Evans Photo)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — It was a tough end to the regular season for the North Reading High field hockey team as they dropped their final two games.
In the regular-season finale on Oct. 25, the Hornets lost to Newburyport, 3-1, at home as the Clippers were able to get a split of the season series.
With the defeat, the Hornets ended up at 13-3-2 overall and 12-3 in the Cape Ann League as they finished tied with the Clippers for first place in the CAL Kinney Division.
Newburyport (13-3-2) scored first on a goal by Ruby Field with 10:30 left in the first quarter.
The Hornets tied it when Josie Lambert found the back of the Clipper net with 6:43 remaining in the second quarter. That tally was unassisted.
Riley Lombard scored the eventual game-winning goal with 1:02 left in the third off a corner. They then scored the game’s final goal with 4:28 remaining in the game as Ciara Geraghty scored.
“We were down three starters for the second game in a row and we had to reconfigure things,” pointed out Hornets head coach Mikayla Allen. “We didn’t play as well as we did against them the first time.”
Hornet goalie, Thea Panousos, made 12 saves as she finished the regular season at 13-3-2.
“She had a great game,” said Allen.
On Oct. 23, North Reading lost to rival Lynnfield, 2-1 on the road as the Pioneers swept the season series.
Cameron Munion scored the game-winning goal for the Pioneers off a feed from senior Taylor Valiton with 4:55 remaining in the third quarter.
Lynnfield got on the scoreboard first with a goal by freshman Sophia Morgese on a rebound in the second quarter with 5:22 left. That goal was unassisted.
The Hornets tied the game in the third quarter 2:37 in as Alaina Driscoll scored off a corner assisted by Ellie Moberg.
Panousos turned back eight shots on net.
“It was a great game,” said Allen. “It was their senior night and they have some strong kids. They should go far (in the Division 4 state tournament).”
Despite heading into the Division 3 state tournament with a two-game losing streak, Allen is not concerned.
“I am not super concerned,” she said. “We will get those three girls back and that should make a big difference. We would have definitely scored more times if we had them against Lynnfield and Newburyport.”
Heading into this week, the Hornets were seeded No. 6 in the MIAA Division 3 power rankings.
The Hornets will get to open the tournament at home (opponent, date and time unknown as of press time).
