PJ CONTE led the Hornets with 5 goals and one assist in NR’s 18-2 preliminary round win over Hoosac Valley on Saturday at NRHS. The Hornets fell to Grafton on the road in the first round on Tuesday. (Eric Evans Photo)

 

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

GRAFTON — It was a long trip out west for the North Reading High boys’ lacrosse team on Tuesday afternoon as they went to Grafton for an MIAA Division 3 Round of 32 game.

The trip back was even longer as the Hornets were shutout 15-0.

With the defeat, the 29th-seeded Hornets ended the year at 6-14. The 4th-seeded Gators, meanwhile, improved to 18-1 as they will take on Bedford in a Round of 16 game (date and time unknown as of press time).

“They have so much depth across the board,” said Hornets head coach Chuck Campobasso. “In our league (Cape Ann) you see teams with two or three really good players. There, they have six or seven.”

Grafton led this game 12-0 at the half.

Hornet sophomore goalie David Tran was peppered all afternoon as he made seven saves.

This game was delayed due to lightning for 35 minutes before it started.

In a preliminary round game on Saturday, the Hornets steamrolled visiting Hoosac Valley, 18-2, on a unseasonably cool, damp day.

With the loss, the 36th-seeded Hurricanes ended the year at 11-7. Hoosac Valley is located in the western part of the state out in Cheshire near the New York border.

“It was a nice win,” said Campobasso, as his squad led 14-0 at halftime.

P.J. Conte led the offense with five goals and one assist. Sam Morelli and Tanner DuPriest each had four goals and two assists.

Logan Lamont found the back of the Hurricanes’ net twice.

Single Hornets goals were scored by Matt Young, Jackson Wesley and C.J. Villaroel.

Teddy Suny had two assists while Finn Rodger had one.

Tran made three stops in goal.