Published in the November 5, 2015 edition
THE MELROSE Lady Raider volleyball team has 19 wins and counting as they begin Div. 2 North tournament play tonight at home against Greater Lawrence at 5:30. (Steve Karampalas photo)
By DAN NUNN
NORTH READING — The NRHS boys soccer team fought arch–rival Lynnfield to a scoreless tie last Tuesday night, in a pivotal game that had important consequences for both teams. The draw punched North Reading’s ticket to the MIAA North Division 3 state tournament for the sixth consecutive year and also eliminated Lynnfield from postseason play.
The Hornets finished the season at 7–4–7 and earned the seventh seed in the tournament. They will face off against 10th seeded Tewksbury in the first round on Thursday at North Reading.
Five Hornets Earn Honors
Junior Anthony Tramontozzi was named first team All-CAL. Senior Michael Driscoll, senior Nicky Govostes, senior Kilian Daly, and junior Cam Davis were named second team All-CAL.
Draw Pioneers
With their scoreless tie against the Lynnfield Pioneers on Tuesday night the Hornets qualified for the state tournament for the sixth consecutive season.
Before the game seniors Matt Ashness, Billy Brandano, Sean Castro, Kilian Daly, Nate Dionne, Michael Driscoll, Joseph Duval, Nicky Govostes, Ryan McAneny, Jack Meaney and Justin Zhang were honored.
North Reading controlled play but couldn’t finish their handful of chances. In the 24th minute they had three point blank opportunities in the box but couldn’t score. Their best chance came in the 70th minute when Duval was alone in the middle of box. Unfortunately he missed over the crossbar.
Beat Crusaders 2-0
Senior goalie Billy Brandano recorded his 10th shutout of the season to help lead the Hornets past the Bishop Fenwick Crusaders 2-0 on Thursday. Sean Castro and Cam Davis scored for North Reading.
The Hornets enjoyed a majority of the possession in the first half. The constant pressure finally led to a goal when Michael Driscoll found Davis for his 10th goal of the season to give North Reading a 1-0 halftime lead.
The second half began with the Hornets having to defend six corner kicks in the first 10 minutes. Eventually, North Reading regained control and added an insurance goal in the 77th minute. Jack Meaney played a perfect ball to Castro who touched the ball around a defender in the box and scored.
Tie Danvers 1-1
In their final game of the regular season the Hornets battled the Danvers Falcons to a 1-1 draw on Saturday. Anthony Tramontozzi scored for North Reading.
The Hornets found themselves trailing 1-0 at the half because of a tremendous individual effort. Danvers’ leading scorer beat three defenders before beating Brandano to the far post.
The second half was all North Reading but it looked like the breaks were not going to go their way. Early on junior Zach Robarts made a great run into the box and appeared to be fouled by the Falcons keeper for a penalty kick, but a foul was not called.
In the 61st minute Cam Davis found the back of the net but the referee called a foul on Danvers while the shot was on its way in, nullifying the goal. On the ensuing penalty Davis drove a good shot to the bottom left corner, but the goalie made a great save. Despite their poor luck the Hornets kept fighting for an equalizer. Finally in the 73rd minute Castro played the ball through to Tramontozzi who was able to chip it over the Falcons keeper for the tying score.
