Update post publication:
North Reading defeats Triton 5-0
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
DANVERS — The North Reading High girls’ soccer team traveled to Danvers to take on Cape Ann League newcomer, Essex Tech on an unseasonably hot, sunny day on Tuesday.
They came home with a hard-earned, 2-0, win over the Hawks.
With that victory, the Hornets improved to 8-2 overall and 7-2 in the Cape Ann League.
Both goals came in the second half in this one.
On a direct kick from 40-yards out, Maddie Vant scored 4:27 into the second half.
“Maddie is one of the hardest, if not the hardest, working players on this team and continues to make play after play to keep opponents at bay,” said Killeen.
Bella Cannalonga had the other goal, assisted by Alex Sfikas, 27:35 into the half.
Maggie Schulz made six stops in net to post her seventh shutout of the year as she improved to 8-2.
“I give Essex Tech a lot of credit,” said Hornets head coach Sean Killeen. “They play hard and to their strengths and made it difficult for us both times we faced them.”
In a non-league match on Sept. 30, the Hornets hammered Bishop Fenwick, 5-1, at home.
This game was knotted at one at the half before the Hornets erupted for four goals in the second stanza.
The Crusaders scored first as Irene Caron scored 5:30 into the opening half. Five minutes later, Allie Lanciani tied it assisted by Marisa Montana.
That duo also teamed up for the next goal which was scored 5:22 into the second half. Juliet Wasilewski was also given an assist on the play along with Montana.
Less than four minutes later, Kiersten Higgins made it 3-1 assisted by Lanciani and Taylor Osterlind.
Montana then scored at the 29:13 mark with Lanciani assisting again.
The fifth and final goal was scored by Higgins at the 35:03 mark with Vant assisting.
“We have several players that can be dominant over the course of the game, but that was an impressive performance by Allie,” said Killeen. “It seemed like on every touch she put us in a position to score.”
Killeeen also had praise for Higgins.
“Kierstin is so dangerous. Her ability to work from the outside into 18,” said Killeen. “She is always moving off the ball to put herself and the team in a better position.”
Schulz had an easy day in goal only having to make a pair of saves.
The day before the Bishop Fenwick victory, the Hornets blanked Rockport, 5-0, at home as that win snapped a two-game losing streak. .
This one was decided by halftime as the Hornets stormed out to a 4-0 lead.
Just 2:55 in, Osterlind scored with Higgins assisting. Higgins then scored, unassisted, only 28 seconds later.
Lanciani made it 3-0 at the 34:11 mark with Higgins assisting.
With 3:52 remaining in the opening half Schulz, who was moved from goalie to forward, scored assisted by Vant.
Maya Ortiz had the second-half tally 3:13 into the half with Georgia Robarts and Osterlind assisting.
Schulz didn’t make a save playing most of the first half. Macy Kurchian replaced her and stopped two shots including one penalty kick to preserve the shutout.
On Oct. 5, the Hornets go to Byfield to take on Triton with that game starting at 4:30 p.m. They then visit Amesbury on Oct. 10 with that game also starting at 4:30 p.m.