KAITLYN SUPPLE had 9 saves and held Essex Tech off the board late as the Hornets erased a 5-2 deficit to win 6-5 on Friday. (Eric Evans Photo)

 

 

After press time:
North Reading falls to Marblehead 17-6 (May 20)
North Reading falls to Pentucket 15-7 (May 18)
North Reading falls to Manchester Essex (May 16)

 

Published May 16, 2024

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

NORTH READING — With their 16-6 home win over Triton on Tuesday afternoon, the North Reading High girls’ lacrosse team competed the season sweep over the Vikings.

The Hornets improved their record to 6-9 overall and 3-7 in the Cape Ann League.

“They are a really young team going through a transition period,” said Hornets head coach Matt Costello, about the Vikings. “We came out strong and with high energy and were ready to compete.”

North Reading took command of this game in the opening half, leading 12-1 at the break.

Eva Cannalonga had a memorable day as she scored the first three goals of her career and also added a pair of assists for five points. Mikaela O’Driscoll also scored her first three goals of her career while Addie Hajj was the third Hornet to record a hat trick.

Lindsey Rosenthal had two goals while Alaina Driscoll had one goal and one assist.

Single Hornet goals were scored by Grace Terranova, Mak Murphy, Sara Suny and Sophia El-Sheikh.

Hornet goalie, Kaitlyn Supple, made two saves as her record improved to 6-9 as she played three quarters.

On May 11, the team traveled down to Nantucket as the Hornets lost this game 17-4.

“It was 2-2 and then we got a yellow card and their offense exploded after that,” recalled Costello. “They have a very talented team.”

Nantucket scored the final 10 goals of the first half to lead, 12-2, at halftime.

Rosenthal, Murphy, Driscoll and Abby McInerney had the four Hornet goals in that game as all four of them were unassisted.

Supple made six saves in net.

On May 10, the Hornets had an exciting come-from-behind, 6-5, win at Essex Tech up in Danvers.

“We were down 5-2 with just over six minutes left,” recalled Costello. “The girls fought back and it was a fun game to be a part of.”

McInerney was the hero scoring the game-winning goal with just under two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter assisted by Rosenthal.

Driscoll, who had a hat trick and one assist, scored the tying tally a couple of minutes before.

Murphy had one goal and one assist while Hajj had the other goal.

Supple turned back nine Hawk shots on net.

“Kaitlyn played really well,” stated Costello, as the Hornets ended up splitting the season series against the CAL newcomers.

On May 7, the Hornets were edged, 11-10, by rival Lynnfield up at UMass-Lowell. North Reading was the designated home team.

“We had our opportunities and were leading early on,” said Costello. “Even though we lost, it was a great experience to be able to play at a Division 1 college.”

The Hornets trailed 6-4 at the half as the Pioneers were able to hold them off in the second half.

Hajj and Driscoll both scored four times while Murphy had the other two goals.

Supple made nine saves.

Lynnfield took home the Pepe-Samson Trophy that goes to the winner of the game. Since the Hornets will only play Lynnfield once, instead of two times like in the past, the Pioneers will get to keep the trophy until next season.

The Hornets will now visit Manchester-Essex on May 16 at 4:30 p.m. They then go to Pentucket on May 18 at 10 a.m.

North Reading hosts Marblehead in a non-league contest on May 20 with that game starting at 4:15 p.m.

The Hornets headed into this week seeded 19th in the MIAA Division 4 power rankings. At the end of the season, the top 32 schools automatically qualify for the state tournament.