Update post publication:
North Reading falls to Boston Latin Academy 5-4 (Nov. 4)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — In their final regular-season match on Saturday afternoon, the North Reading High boys’ soccer team tied host Andover, 1-1, on an unseasonably warm, sunny day.
With that non-league result, the Hornets ended up at 12-3-3 overall.
“They are two divisions above us so this is a good tune-up game before we head into the tournament,” said Hornets head coach Mark Bisognano. “We were able to get a lot of players in.”
North Reading scored first in the 14th minute as Max Gulino scored on a penalty kick after Noah Schifano got fouled in the box.
The Golden Warriors tied it with a little over four minutes remaining in the game.
Hornet goal-keeper, Davi Leao, made four saves to go to 10-2-3 in net.
On Oct. 26 in their final Cape Ann League game of the season, the Hornets blanked host Triton, 4-0, up in Byfield. North Reading completed the season sweep over the Vikings as they won the first meeting, 4-1, on Oct. 5 at home.
The Hornets finished at 12-2-2 in the league with that win as they came in second place in the CAL Kinney Division to Lynnfield.
This game was supported to have been played back on Sept. 7 but was postponed due to the excess heat that day.
“We did what we needed to do and got some players some much needed rest,” said Bisognano.
Gavin Wesley’s header off a corner kick by Finn Rodger made it 1-0 in the 23rd minute.
In the 34th minute, Seth Evans found the back of the Viking net assisted by Gulino Two minutes later, Schifano got fouled in the box and he put home the penalty kick for the third goal.
Rodger had the second-half tally in the 64th minute and that goal was unassisted.
Leao made one save to post the shutout.
North Reading entered this week ranked 20th in the MIAA Division 3 power rankings. This weekend they will play their first state tournament playoff game (opponent, date and time unknown at press time).