Published March 28, 2019
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — Last season, the North Reading High girls’ lacrosse team finished at 4-12 overall. The Hornets went 0-10 in the Cape Ann League and 0-4 in the CAL Kinney division.
Seven members from that team graduated including their top two scorers from last year, McKayla Murphy and Morgan Lally.
Also leaving the team was head coach Samantha Whitney after four years as Matt Costello is the new head coach.
The Hornets return six seniors: Mary Madden (attack), Brooke DeGrande (attack), Casey McAuliffe (midfielder), Gabby Baker (defense- midfielder), Sydney Corsetti (midfielder), and Maddie Miele (attack).
BROOKE DeGRANDE is one of six returning seniors for new head coach Matt Costello and the NRHS girls’ lacrosse team. (John Friberg File Photo)
North Reading had its first practice back on March 18th.
“It was a good first week,” said Costello. “We were able to get outside every day which doesn’t always happen in March. We worked on our skills and conditioning and were able to also do some team-bonding things as well.”
On Tuesday afternoon the team had its first scrimmage at Wakefield.
“It went pretty well considering how early in the season it is,” said Costello.
As far as systems are concerned there won’t be much of a change.
“We are going to do a lot of what Samantha had done but we will put in some different things,” explained Costello. “Christine (Johnson) is our defensive coordinator this year and she will decide what kind of defense we will play.”
North Reading will start the year playing man-to-man defense.
On Thursday (March 28), the Hornets will play their final scrimmage against Austin Prep in Reading at 3:45 p.m.
North Reading has a 17-game schedule this spring as they will play one more regular-season game than last season.
Opening day for the Hornets will be on April 1 as they visit non-league Essex Tech at 4 p.m. The home and CAL opener will take place on April 4 as they host Georgetown at 3:45 p.m.
