DAVID TRAN made 15 saves in an 8-4 win over Amesbury in NR’s regular season finale. The Hornets (7-11) were ranked in the top 32 in D4, which should mean that they will make the tournament. Brackets were released on Wednesday after press time. (Eric Evans File Photo)

 

 

 

After press time:
North Reading (#27) vs. Pentucket Regional (#6) May 31 @ 4:30 pm
For more details and the latest state tournament updates, click here.

 

 

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

AMESBURY — In their final game of the regular season on May 22, the North Reading High boys’ lacrosse team doubled up Amesbury, 8-4, on the road in a night game in very hot conditions.

With that win, the Hornets ended up at 7-11 overall and 5-8 in the Cape Ann League.

“This was a good win,” said Hornets head coach Chuck Campobasso. “We were shorthanded but the backups stepped up for us.”

They also played this game at Landry Stadium since it was the Red Hawks’ Senior Night and that is a grass field, which the Hornets have not played on much this spring.

“There are more ground balls on a grass surface and the bounces are not as true,” explained Campobasso.

The Hornets led this game at the half, 4-0, as they led wire-to-wire.

Finn Rodger, who was moved from midfielder to attacker during the first half, led the offense with two goals and one assist.

“Finn stepped up for us,” said Campobasso.

Tanner DuPriest also scored twice while single goals were scored by Conrad Gerber, Gavin Wesley, Jackson Wesley and Brendan Gazda.

Hornet goalie, David Tran, made 15 saves.

“David was fantastic,” stated Campobasso.

It was a heartbreaking defeat for the Hornets on May 20 as they fell, 5-4, in overtime at Methuen.

The Rangers, a team out of the Merrimack Valley Conference, scored the game-winner 3:04 into the overtime session.

“Our defense played well,” said Campobasso, whose squad suffered its third-consecutive defeat.

This game was very tight throughout as the Rangers led, 2-1, at halftime.

Rodger and DuPriest both scored twice for the locals. Anthony Tammaro had two assists while Logan Lamont and Nick Arcari both had one assist.

Tran made 12 saves.

“He had an excellent game,” said Campobasso.

Methuen is two divisions up from the Hornets as the Rangers are in Division 2 while North Reading is in Division 4.

The Hornets were ranked 26th in the final MIAA Division 4 power rankings which means they will open the state tournament on the road.

The seedings came on May 29 (opponent, date and location unknown as of press-time).