JOSIE LAMBERT (15) scored a hat trick in NR’s 5-0 win over Rockport on Monday. Also pictured is Alyse Mutti (12), Madeline Lambert (7) and Brooke Keller (14). (Eric Evans Photo)

 

After press time:
North Reading defeats Malden 5-0 (Sept. 19)
North Reading falls to Lynnfield 1-0 (Sept. 18)

 

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

ROCKPORT — The red-hot North Reading High field hockey team stayed perfect on Monday afternoon as they blanked host Rockport, 5-0, on a hot, sunny day.

“That was our first game on a grass field,” pointed out Hornets second-year head coach Mikayla Allen. “The girls made the right adjustments and it was a good win for us.”

With 3:28 left in the first quarter, Josie Lambert scored the game’s first goal assisted by Alyse Mutti.

The second tally came with 4:15 to go in the first half as Mutti found the back of the Vikings net assisted by Kara Russell.

The Hornets, who improved to 5-0 overall, then broke the game open in the third quarter scoring three times.

Lambert got her first-career hat track scoring with 9:24 and 2:53 left as both goals were unassisted.

“She had a phenomenal game,” stated Allen, about the junior forward. “She is a strong playmaker and I was very proud of her.”

Senior co-captain, Ellie Moberg, had the final goal with 1:17 left in the third and that goal was also unassisted.

Hornet goalie, Thea Panousos, didn’t have to make any stops in net to record the first shutout of her career as she went to 5-0 in goal.

In the team’s most significant win so far this season, the Hornets beat guest Manchester-Essex, 3-1, back on Sept. 11.

“That was our biggest win of the year,” said Allen. “We have not beaten them since 2017.”

North Reading raced out to a 3-0 halftime advantage.

Moberg started the scoring with a goal 3:50 into the game assisted by Mutti.

North Reading then scored twice in a span of 1:03 in the second quarter.

Alaina Driscoll had an unassisted goal with 13:46 left while Sophia El-Sheikh made it 3-0 with an unassisted goal with 12:43 remaining.

“Those back-to-back goals set the tone for the rest of the game,” said Allen.

Manchester-Essex was able to avoid the shutout scoring with 2:03 left in the game.

Panousos made four stops in net.

The Hornets will play their first non-league game on Sept. 19 as they visit Malden at 4:30 p.m. They then return to CAL action on Sept. 23 as they visit Newburyport. That game will also start at 4:30 p.m.