THE HORNETS made sure to give their fans a great game in the last home matchup at NRHS on Sunday in a Div. 3 Round of 16 3-0 win over Chicopee. The Hornets traveled to No. 3 Medfield on Wednesday after a press time. A road victory would send NR through to the Final Four. (Eric Evans Photo)

 

 

After press time:
North Reading falls to Medfield 2-1 (Nov. 13)

 

 

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

NORTH READING — On Sunday afternoon, the North Reading High boys’ soccer team blanked Chicopee, 3-0, at home in the MIAA Division 3 Round of 16.

With the victory, the 6th-seeded Hornets improved to 18-0-2. Meanwhile, 11th-seeded Chicopee ended the year at 17-1-2 as they were handed their first loss of the season.

All three goals came in the second half. Senior captain Finn Rodger had the first goal in the game’s 60th minute with a shot that found the right corner of the Pacer net.

Senior captain Matt Fleury assisted on the play.

The second Hornet tally came with eight minutes left as senior captain Max Gulino chipped his shot over Pacers goalie, Zachariah Yarovoy, to make it 2-0 assisted by junior Davi Leao.

“They were starting to get aggressive at that time and we were able to take advantage of that,” pointed out Hornets head coach Mark Bisognano, as the Pacers pushed their offense forward leaving their defense vulnerable.

The final tally was scored by senior captain Kieran Miller with just over three minutes left to close the door. Junior Seth Evans was credited with the assist.

 

FINN RODGER celebrates a goal against Chicopee in the Round of 16 at NRHS on Sunday. (Eric Evans Photo)

Hornet senior goalie, Cam Parrett, did not have to make any saves as the team recorded its 13th shutout of the year. Parrett improved to 18-0-2 in net.

That shutout also tied the school’s record, matching the 2006 squad.

“The defense was outstanding and we were able to wear them down as the game went along,” said Bisognano.”I was also happy with the fan support we had for this game and the Dennis-Yarmouth game.”

In the first round, the Hornets shut out Dennis-Yarmouth, 5-0, also at home on Nov. 6 on an unseasonably warm day.

“We seized control of the game in the first 15 minutes,” pointed out Bisognano, as his team led 2-0 early. “We were able to put them on their heels.”

In the eighth minute, Leao scored assisted by Gulino. Just two minutes later, junior Nick Lopes put home a rebound off a shot by Gulino.

 

MAX GULINO followed up a goal and 2 assists in a first round win over Dennis-Yarmouth on Nov. 6 with a goal in a Round of 16 win over Chicopee on Nov. 10. (Eric Evans Photo)

 

In the 26th minute, Fleury made it 3-0 with a left-footed shot assisted by Rodger.

North Reading scored its final goal of the opening half with 1:30 left as Gulino found the back of the Dolphins net with Rodger getting another assist.

The final goal took place in the 66th minute as junior Joe Serra scored assisted by Evans.

Parrett only had to make one stop to pick up the shutout.

“We moved the ball well and it was fun to watch,” said Bisognano.

With the loss, the 27th-seeded Dolphins ended the year at 11-4-5.

The Hornets visited 3rd-seeded Medfield on Wednesday (results not available at press time) in the Div. 3 quarterfinals.

If North Reading won that contest they would play the winner of No. 2 Dover-Sherborn vs. No. 10 Holliston in the state semifinals. The date and location of the Final Four are to be announced.