Four All-Stars named for Hornet boys’ soccer team

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

NORTH READING — Four members of the North Reading High boys’ soccer team were recently named Cape Ann League All-Stars. Three Hornets made the CAL First-Team All-Stars while one other made the CAL Second-Team All-Stars.

Max Gulino led the way as the junior made the First-Team for the first time. The striker scored 20 goals and had five assists for a team-high 25 points.

“He was a very consistent finisher this year,” said Hornets head coach Mark Bisognano.

 

 

Gulino was also named to the All-State team and he also made the Eastern Mass. All-Star team as he played in the Eastern Mass. All-Star game at Concord- Carlisle High.

He is only the second Hornet player to make the All-State team in the last 20 years.

Finn Rodger also made the CAL First-Team All-stars for the first time in his career. He was the team leader in assists with 10 to go with his six goals for 16 points.

“He is the engine of our offense,” said Bisognano, about the junior midfielder. “He is a great playmaker and played all 80 minutes each game because of his value.”

Rodger was also an Eastern Mass. All-Star and played with Gulino in that game.

 

The third First-Team All-Star was Gavin Wesley who is also making his All-Star debut.

“He did a great job on the back line and often, marked up the top scorers on the other team,” pointed out Bisognano, about the sophomore defenseman. He also had one goal and five assists.

 

Wesley’s older brother, Jackson, made the CAL Second-Team All-Stars for the first time in his career.

“He has a great head for the game and is a vocal leader for us,” said Bisognano about the 11th-grader.

Jackson Wesley, who is a defenseman like his brother, finished with five points this fall as he had one goal and four assists.

 

The Hornets recently had their team banquet at Kitty’s Restaurant. That night, head coach Mark Bisognano gave out four awards.

The MVP Award went to Rodger.

The Coaches Award was given to Jackson Wesley.

Sophomore goalkeeper, Davi Leao, received the Unsung Hero Award as he went went 10-3-3 with a goals-against average of 1.72.

The Joe Davis Most Improved Player Award went to senior Brendan McBain.

Overall, the Hornets finished at 12-4-3 as they fell in the first round of the MIAA Division 3 state tournament to Boston Latin Academy, 3-2, as they lost, 5-3, in the shootout.

In the Cape Ann League, they were 12-2-2 as they came in third place in the CAL Kinney Division behind Division 4 state champion Lynnfield and Hamilton-Wenham.

The Hornets will lose six seniors to graduation. Along with McBain, they will also lose Noah Schifano (forward), Lucas Damphousse (midfielder), Dan Wold (midfielder), Felippe Saide (forward) and Graham Koeper (defenseman).

“They were a small, tight-knit group,” said Bisognano, about the senior class. “They provided some great leadership and I really felt bad about their freshman year due to the Covid situation where we did not have a full season.”

Next fall, the team should be in great shape as the Hornets are slated to return 19 veterans.

“We have 10 starters coming back so I do have high expectations for next season,” stated Bisognano, who just completed his 22nd-year with the team.