MADDY LAMBERT scored 2 goals in NR’s 4-0 win over Hamilton-Wenham on Oct. 9. The Hornets, who earned their 10th win of the season with a 4-2 triumph over Triton on Monday, will get ready for a huge matchup with rival Lynnfield at LHS, Oct. 23 at 6 p.m., with the winner likely earning the CAL Kinney Division crown. (Eric Evans Photo)

 

 

After press time:
North Reading defeats Ipswich 1-0 (Oct. 21)
North Reading defeats Amesbury 2-0 (Oct. 17)
North Reading defeats Pentucket 1-0 (Oct. 16)

 

 

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

BYFIELD — On Columbus Day, the North Reading High field hockey team defeated Triton, 4-2, up in Byfield on a raw, rainy day. With that win, the Hornets completed the season sweep over the Vikings as they beat them, 5-1, back on Sept. 6.

Also, with the victory, the Hornets’ record improved to 10-1-2 overall and 9-1 and the Cape Ann League.

This was a comeback win as the Vikings scored the first two goals.

They scored the first one with 10:11 left in the first quarter and the second one with 10:27 remaining in the second quarter.

Eva Hanegraaff got the Hornets on the scoreboard with 4:51 left in the second to cut the lead to one heading into the half.

Alaina Driscoll tied the game with 8:25 left in the third assisted by Ellie Moberg.

The eventual game-winning goal came with 2:23 remaining in the third as Alyse Mutti scored off a corner with Driscoll assisting.

Sophia El-Sheikh had the game’s final tally with 5:47 remaining in the game off a corner. Driscoll also assisted on this goal.

Hornet goalie, Thea Panousos, made three saves to improve to 10-1-2.

“We started slow but were able to turn it up after they scored that second goal,” pointed out Hornets head coach Mikayla Allen.

On Oct. 11, the Hornets tied guest Malden Catholic 0-0, in a non-league game. This is the second time the schools have tied as the first meeting on Oct. 2 ended in a 2-2 deadlock.

“It was another tough battle with them,” said Allen. “The game was pretty even and playing against a team like this is a good tune up for the state tournament. Malden Catholic should go deep in the Division 2 tournament.”

Panousos made six saves in net.

“She played very well,” stated Allen, as Panousos recorded her seventh shutout of the year.

On Oct. 9, the Hornets blanked Hamilton-Wenham, 4-0, at home.

El-Sheikh had the lone goal in the opening half scoring with 11:30 left in the second quarter.

In the third quarter, Maddy Lambert made it 2-0 with 2:39 remaining in the third.

Moberg had the third goal with 10:42 left in the game and Lambert found the back of the Generals net with 1:40 left as all four goals were unassisted.

“We had a lot of great opportunities but couldn’t score,” said Allen, as her team had drawn 12 corners but didn’t score off any of them. “I give them credit the way they battled us.”

Panousos had an easy day in net having to make only one stop as the Hornets dominated the territorial play.

On Oct. 17, the Hornets visit Amesbury at 4:30 p.m. They then travel to Ipswich on Oct. 21 with that game starting at 6 p.m.

The Hornets then go to rival Lynnfield on Oct. 23 at 6 p.m. as they try to avenge their lone loss of the year.

“That is a very big game,” admitted Allen, as NR could clinch the CAL Kinney Division crown with a win.

North Reading entered this week ranked 6th in the MIAA Division 3 power rankings.