Allen named CAL Coach of the Year
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — Five members of the North Reading High field hockey team were named to the Cape Ann League All-Star rosters selected by the league coaches.
The Hornets were the league’s Kinney Division co-champs along with Newburyport.
One Hornet made the CAL First-Team All-Stars while four others made the CAL Second-Team All-Stars.
Alyse Mutti was the team’s First-Team All-Star. The senior captain, midfielder had seven points with three goals and four assists.
“Alyse was a key player in our midfield unit and on the field,” said Hornets head coach Mikayla Allen. “She had unstoppable stick skills and vision of the field that set our team up for success each and every game. She led by example the entire season and is a true-born athlete. She was a tremendous captain this year and left all she had out on the field each and every game. She was a crucial part of our offensive corners and was our fly on defensive corners.”
Mutti, who was a First-Team All-Star last year as well, was also recognized as Best of 60 seniors in the state and played in the Best of 60 All-Star game.
The four Second-Team All-Stars are Maddie Lambert, Ellie Moberg, Alaina Driscoll and Kara Russell.
Lambert, a center-defenseman, was a senior co-captain as she also made the Second-Team All-Stars last year.
“Maddie did everything in her power to protect our goalkeeper and keep the ball out of the circle,” said Allen. “She showed strong leadership throughout the season and also scored one goal. She was a post player in our defensive corner unit.”
Moberg, another senior co-captain, finished with 12 points as she had seven goals and five assists.
“Ellie played center forward for us this year and was our insert on offensive corners,” pointed out Allen. “Her love for the sport showed each game.”
Driscoll, a junior, scored six goals to go with a pair of assists.
“Alaina played midfield for us this season and started to put in the work from the moment she stepped on the field in our first practice,” said Allen. “Her athleticism is unmatched and her ability to switch gears and adapt to what we needed her to do was a huge part of our success. She was a strong leader as a junior and pushed her teammates each day to be better. She was also our trail in our defensive corners and was a playmaker on our offensive corners.”
Russell, a freshman, had three points with two goals and one assist.
“Kara has raw talent, stick skills and a game sense that was recognized by other coaches very quickly,” said Allen.
Allen was also named the CAL Kinney Coach of the Year in only her second season at the helm.
“I am very honored but could not have done this season without my two assistant coaches,” said Allen. “It truly takes a team effort and something we each loved coming to do each and every day. The program had a terrific season and we could not be more proud,”
This fall, the Hornets made it to the MIAA Division 3 Round of 16 before falling, 3-2, to guest Bedford to end the year at 14-4-2.
In the CAL, North Reading finished at 12-3.