THE HORNETS celebrate a goal during their 3-3 tie against Pentucket on Monday at home. North Reading beat Triton on Saturday and are now 1-1-1 overall. (Eric Evans Photo)

 

Updates post publication:
North Reading defeats Rockport 3-0 (Sept. 18)
North Reading ties Lynnfield 1-1 (Sept. 20)

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

NORTH READING — In their home opener on Monday afternoon, the North Reading High field hockey team tied Pentucket 3-3. With that result, the Hornets record went to 1-1-1 overall and in the Cape Ann League.

Lucia Mini scored the first goal with 2:46 left in the second quarter assisted by Alyse Mutti.

In the third, the Hornets took a 3-0 lead as Alaina Driscoll (9:52) and Mini (8:54) scored back-to-back goals. Both were unassisted.

However, the Panthers cut the lead to one scoring with 6:05 and 4:27 remaining in the third.

The visitors then tied the game with 3:51 left in the fourth.

“We broke down late,” said Hornets rookie head coach Mikayla Allen. “We were not able to capitalize on our opportunities.”

Caroline Burton made four saves in net as the senior co-captain’s record went to 1-1-1.

On Sept. 9, the Hornets beat host Triton, 4-1 up in Byfield in a morning game.

This game was scoreless at the half as the Hornets offense broke out in the second stanza.

Keely Hannon scored the game’s first goal with 9:42 left in the third. Ava Hanegraaff, who got injured in the Pentucket game, assisted.

Hanegraaff then made it 2-0, unassisted, with 6:12 remaining in the game.

Hannon scored the third goal, which was also unassisted, just 47-seconds later.

The Vikings scored with 2:10 left to keep their hopes alive, but Driscoll closed the door scoring with 56-seconds remaining. Sabrina Mini assisted.

“It was closer than the final indicated,” said Allen. “Their goalie played great.”

This was also a special day as it was Allen’s first-career win as a head coach.

“It was a memorable day,” she stated. “I was proud of the way the girls played.”

Burton made three saves for her first victory of the year.

In the season opener on Sept. 6, the Hornets lost at Essex Tech, 3-1, up in Danvers on a hot, humid day.

“We scrimmaged them and we knew that they were a good team,” said Allen. “They came out more ready than we were.”

The Hawks, who are in their first year in the CAL, scored the lone tally of the first half with 2:50 left in the second quarter as  lice Stansfield scored.

Mutti tied it on a corner with 3:35 left in the third assisted by Makenna Lord.

Essex Tech then got the eventual game-winning goal with 1:30 left in the third as Brooke Shaughnessy found the back of the Hornet net.

The hosts then got an insurance goal 1:52 into the fourth quarter with Gigi Barrow scoring.

Burton turned back seven shots.

North Reading’s next game is on Monday as they host Rockport. They then go to Lynnfield two days later. Both games will start at 4:30 p.m.