After press time:
North Reading defeats Lynnfield 2-0 (Sept. 19)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — The North Reading High girls’ soccer team improved to 6-0 on Tuesday afternoon as they shut out guest Manchester-Essex by a final score of 5-0.
It was the team’s fourth consecutive shutout.
This one was over by the half as North Reading led, 4-0.
Allie Lanciani scored 4:30 into the game assisted by Reilly Tassinari. Kiersten Higgins, assisted by Lanciani, had the second tally at the 24:15 mark.
North Reading then scored twice in the final minute of the half to deliver the knockout blow as Lanciani made it 3-0 with 51 seconds left. Belle Lazure was credited with the assist.
Ariana Demetri had the fourth goal with only two ticks remaining and that one was unassisted.
Lanciani then recorded the hat trick 7:30 into the second half assisted by Demetri.
North Reading goalkeeper, Macy Kurchian, made five saves to improve to 6-0 as she recorded her fifth shutout of the young season.
North Reading improved to 5-0 in Cape Ann League play with that win.
The Hornets played their first non-league game on Sept. 14 as they traveled to Peabody to take on Bishop Fenwick.
They ended up shutting out the Crusaders, 4-0, scoring twice in each half.
Higgins got the locals on the scoreboard first 14:30 in assisted by Lanciani. Higgins then made it 2-0 at the 38:20 mark assisted by Tassinari.
In the second half, Lazure made it 3-0 on a corner kick goal at 49:47.
Julia Scammon had the final goal assisted by Alexa Pepper at 70:40.
Kurchian had six saves in net.
On Sept. 12, the Hornets shut out host Ipswich, 4-0.
Just like the Bishop Fenwick game, North Reading scored twice in each half. Tassinari was the story in this one as she recorded a hat trick.
Her first goal came 9:50 in and was assisted by Lanciani. Higgins then made it 2-0 at the 17:50 mark assisted by Scammon and Demetri.
In the second half, Tassinari assisted by Lanciani, made it 3-0 at 51:10. Tassinari then got her hat trick at the 64:26 mark and that goal was unassisted.
Kurchian made one stop in net to record the shutout.
“Possession has looked very good and collectively we continue to create high-quality scoring chances,” said Hornets head coach Sean Killeen, about the team’s three most recent games.
“As we prepare for big league match-ups we need to convert more opportunities early in matches.”
On Sept. 19, the Hornets visit rival Lynnfield with that match starting at 4:30 p.m. They then go to Newburyport on Sept. 24 with that game also starting at 4:30 p.m.