TWO DAYS after reclaiming the Pepe-Samson trophy in a 15-9 win over Lynnfield, the NRHS girls’ lacrosse team joined forces with Ipswich to dedicate their game to Morgan’s Message, a non-profit organization amplifying stories to confront student-athlete mental health. (NRHS Girls’ Lacrosse Photo)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — The North Reading High girls’ lacrosse team fell to a solid Ipswich team, 15-6, at home last Friday afternoon. With that defeat, the Hornets record dipped to 4-7 overall and 2-7 in the Cape Ann League.
The Tigers improved to 8-1 overall and 6-1 in the CAL.
“They are currently the top seed in the MIAA Division 4 seedings,” pointed out Hornets head coach Matt Costello. “They have a balanced roster and a fantastic goalie and should good deep into the tournament.”
The Tigers led this game 8-3 at the half as they outscored the Hornets 7-3 in the second half.
Faith Newton led the Hornets with three goals while Brianne Slattery had one goal and one assist. Jenna DiNapoli and Callie MacLellan had the two other goals.
Mia Pittore added one assist.
Hornet goalie Kaitlyn Supple made 12 saves.
On May 3, the news was much better as the Hornets defeated rival Lynnfield, 15-9, on the road.
North Reading was able to get a split of the season series and also bring home the Pepe-Samson Trophy that goes to the winner of the game. They will get to keep the trophy until next season when the schools face each other again.
“This game shows the progress we have made since that first Lynnfield game,” pointed out Costello as the Pioneers won the first meeting, 13-11, back on April 5. “We started playing better since our game against Tewksbury a couple of weeks ago.”
Slattery was the star of this one with a career-high eight goals to go with one assist.
“She had a monster game,” stated Costello, about the senior co-captain.
Newton and Makenzie Murphy both scored twice while DiNapoli had one goal and two assists.
Shea Tully had one goal and one assist while MacLellan had one goal. Pittore added a pair of assists.
Supple made 11 saves in net.
The Hornets led this game 8-5 at the half.
The Hornets return to action on May 11 as they visit Triton at 4:15 p.m. They then visit Martha’s Vineyard on May 13 with that non-league game starting at 12:30 p.m.
North Reading then returns to Cape Ann League play on May 15 as they host Pentucket. Two days later, the Hornets welcome Newburyport.
Both of those games will start at 4:15 p.m.
The Hornets entered this week seeded 16th in the MIAA Division 3 power rankings. The top 32 schools at the end of the regular season automatically qualify for states.
