THE NRHS GOLF team is 4-2 overall and 4-0 in CAL play after beating Newburyport 130-128 on Sept. 16, snapping the Clippers’ 16-match winning streak. Pictured from left to right is Colin Smith, Matt Ryan, Andrew Peppe, Liam Blanchette, Joey Collins, Liam Talbot, Andrew Daley, Isabel Brozena, Jacob Duval, Nicholas Santiago, Jack Fischer, Tyler Murphy, Drew Mountain and Alex DeWolfe. (Courtesy Photo)

Now 4-0 in CAL play after snapping Newburyport’s 16-match win streak
NORTH READING — The North Reading High School varsity golf team is off to a strong start six matches into the season with an overall record of 4-2, remaining undefeated (4-0) in Cape Ann League play.

The early success is due to a powerful 1-2 punch at the top of the order in the form of aophomore Isabel Brozena (No. 1) and senior captain Tyler Murphy (No. 2). The top two combine with a scrappy but talented group, including seniors Matt Ryan, captain Andrew Daley, captain Jack Fischer, Joey Collins and Andrew Peppe; junior Jacob Duval; sophomore Drew Mountain and freshman Jason Curran.

Rounding out the 15-person roster are Colin Smith, Liam Talbot, Liam Blanchette, Nicholas Santiago and Alexander DeWolfe.

Brian McAuliffe entered his 12th year as head coach with high expectations following a strong 2020 season in which the Hornets finished in third place behind undefeated champion Newburyport and second place Triton (7-1). Those teams, along with a much-improved Lynnfield squad, look to be competing with the Hornets for first place in the CAL Large Division this year.

After winning the first two matches against Georgetown and Amesbury, 134-101 and 145-93 respectively, an uncharacteristic down day did not play out well against the top team in the Catholic Conference, Austin Prep, as North Reading fell 161-136 at Hillview Golf Course.

The team rebounded nicely with a 152-85 win over Manchester-Essex in the following match and looked to keep the undefeated Cape Ann league record alive against a very talented 6-0 Newburyport Clipper team when they faced off on Thursday, Sept. 16.

Isabel Brozena, who was named MVP of the team as a freshman last seasonm, was paired up against Clipper senior Joe O’Connell, another top player in the league. Brozena’s 31-point dominant performance against O’Connell was the initial strike that coach McAuliffe had hoped for in the first group. As remaining players finished the round, things were closing in.

Cape Ann League scoring is based on a modified “Stableford” system in which one point is awarded for a double bogey, two points for bogey, four points for par, six points for birdie etc. The best six out of eight player scores are counted for each team.

With Brozena and senior Matt Ryan leading the way with 31 and 24 points, the match would come down to the final groups with North Reading earning an exciting 130-128 victory to remain undefeated in league play and give the Clippers their first loss in 16 matches.

The Hornets hosted Triton (4-0) on Wednesday after press time. Their next match is today in Ipswich (2-2) at 3:30 p.m.