THE NRHS girls’ lacrosse team celebrates their season-opening win over Boston Latin on March 30. The Hornets moved to 2-0 with a win over Triton on Monday. They traveled to Newburyport on Wednesday after press time and will host Essex Tech on Friday at 5:30 p.m.
After press time: North Reading falls to Essex Tech 8-4 (April 5)
North Reading falls to Newburyport 15-1 (April 3)
North Reading falls to Hamilton-Wenhan 16-3 (April 9)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — Last year, the North Reading High girls’ lacrosse team reached the MIAA Division 3 Round of 16 playoffs before losing to the eventual state champions, Newburyport, to end the season at 9-11.
In the Cape Ann League, the Hornets were 3-9 as they finished third in the CAL Kinney Division.
Eight players from that roster gradated including two Cape Ann League All-Stars: Faith Newton and Brianne Slattery. Newton was a first-team all-star while Slattery was a second-team all-star.
The good news for sixth-year head coach Matt Costello is that he did return 11 veterans when practice opened back on March 18.
Three of those players back are this year’s tri-captains that feature two seniors and one junior.
The two senior captains are Kaitlyn Supple (goalie) and Grace Terranova (attacker) and they are the only two seniors on the roster.
The junior captain is Lindsay Rosenthal, who was a CAL Second-Team All-Star last season playing midfield and defense.
Alexa Pepper (defenseman), Madison Hopfer (defenseman) and Jill Ball (attacker) are the three other juniors back.
Seven sophomores return: Addison Hajj (midfielder- attacker), Alaina Driscoll (attacker), Abigayle McInierney (attacker- midfielder), Josie Lambert (goalie), Makenzie Murphy (midfielder- attacker), Mikaela O’Driscoll (attacker- midfielder) and Sara Sung (defenseman- midfielder).
Despite the cold weather, the preseason went well according to Costello.
“It went awesome,” stated Costello. “The kids are close and having a lot of fun.”
ALAINA DRISCOLL had 7 goals in the season opener against Boston Latin and 6 goals and 2 assists in a win over Triton on Monday. (Eric Evans Photo)
North Reading is slated to play a 19-game regular season schedule with 13 CAL games and six non-league contests.
Those six non-league games will be against Nantucket, Boston Latin Academy, Bedford, Wilmington, Winthrop and Marblehead.
After two games, the Hornets have come out of the gates strong winning both of them. On Monday afternoon, they won their Cape Ann League opener at Triton by a final of 11-2 up in Byfield.
North Reading took control in the first half leading 10-1 at halftime.
Every Hornet got to play which pleased Costello.
Driscoll had her second monster game in a row on offense scoring six goals to go with two assists for eight points overall.
“She had a very big game,” stated Costello.
Supple went to 2-0 in net as she had to make only three saves as the Hornets dominated the territorial play.
In the season opener on March 30, the Hornets rolled over Boston Latin Academy at home, 11-4, in a non-league contest. Just like in the Triton win, North Reading took control in the opening half leading 9-1 at the break.
Driscoll netted seven goals to lead the way while Supple made eight saves.
On April 5, the Hornets welcome CAL newcomer Essex Tech at 5:30 p.m. They then host Hamilton-Wenham on April 9 with that game starting at 4:15 p.m.
