North Reading field hockey beats Nauset 2-1 in tournament opener

THE HORNETS celebrate their hard-earned 2-1 win over Nauset in the first round of the Div. 3 state tournament on Saturday at NRHS. North Reading (No. 7) will host Bedford (No. 10) in the Round of 16 on Thursday at 5 p.m. (Eric Evans Photo)

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

NORTH READING — In their MIAA Division 3 opening round game last Saturday afternoon, the North Reading High field hockey team edged visiting Nauset by a final score of 2-1 in a hard-fought contest.

Kara Russell was the hero for the Hornets in this one, scoring the game-winning goal with 4:01 remaining in the third quarter as she scored on a scrum in front of the Nauset net.

“She stepped up when we needed her to,” stated Hornets head coach Mikayla Allen about the freshman.

North Reading had to hold on for dear life in the game’s final minute as Nauset had two corner opportunities to send the game into overtime.

“They took a few years off my life,” joked Allen, about the final 60 seconds.

FRESHMAN KARA RUSSELL scored the game-winning goal for the Hornets in their 2-1 tournament victory over Nauset on Saturday.

Junior Alaina Driscoll scored the first goal of the afternoon with 9:18 remaining in the second quarter off a corner. Senior captain Ellie Moberg assisted.

“We executed that corner well,” said Allen, whose team went only 1-for-11 in corner chances.

The Warriors tied it off a corner with 10:01 left in the third quarter as Chloe Dulac scored.

With that win, the 7^th-seeded Hornets improved to 14-3-2. The 26^th-seeded Warriors, meanwhile, ended the year at 7-9-3.

“Their defense was strong and their goalie (Sarah Foley) was fantastic,” said Allen. “They are much better that what their seed was.”

Nauset had eight corners and out-shot the Hornets 6-5, as North Reading goalie Thea Panousos made five saves to go to 14-3-2 in goal.

The Hornets’ next contest will be on Thursday, Nov. 7 as they host Bedford at 5 p.m. in the Round of 16 game. The 10^th-seeded Buccaneers, a team out of the Dual County League, enter the game at 13-2-2.

If the Hornets can win that game, they will visit 2^nd-seeded Watertown in the quarterfinals sometime early next week.

THE NRHS defense held strong in the second half to keep Nauset off the scoreboard and secure a 2-1 first round win on Saturday. Pictured from left to right is Alyse Mutti, Maddy Lambert, Theadora Panousos, Morgan Davis and Alaina Driscoll. (Eric Evans Photo)