By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — The North Reading High girls’ soccer team has its end-of-season awards banquet recently and four individual awards were given out by head coach Sean Killeen.
Senior captain Marisa Montana and junior striker Allie Lanciani were named the Hornets co-MVP’s this year.
Montana, who played center-back, was a Cape Ann League All-Conference player this year. Lanciani was also a CAL All-Conference player as she had 24 goals and 15 assists.
The Unsung Hero Award went to senior goalkeeper Mary Kurchian who had 11 shutouts this year as she went 15-2-2 in net with a .0.50 goals-against average.
Junior center-back Sara Suny and senior Alexa Pepper both received the Coaches Award.
It was a very successful season for the Hornets this fall as they finished at 15-2-2 overall. They fell, 3-2, to guest North Middlesex in the MIAA Division 3 first round.
In the CAL, North Reading went 13-1-2 as they captured the Kinney Division title.
“Although we were disappointed with the playoff loss, the team needs to be proud of their season,” said Killeen. “Securing the CAL title scoring 76 goals and only allowing nine in 19 games is impressive.”
“We are proud of this team,” he added. “They played some excellent soccer and had a lot of fun together. It was a special year.”
North Reading will lose 10 seniors to graduation. Along with Montana, Kurchian and Pepper, they also lose co-captain Julia Scammon (center-midfielder), Belle Lazure (defenseman), Jillian Ball (defenseman), Maddie Forristall (defenseman), Grace Higgins (striker), Alex Sfikas (midfielder) and Despina Sfikas (midfielder).
“The seniors had a season to remember and represented the school very well,” stated Killeen.
North Reading does have several players returning next September including juniors Lanciani, Kiersten Higgins and Reilly Tassinari who were CAL All-Stars this year.
“I know that the returning players will use the loss to North Middlesex as motivation to prepare for next season,” said Killeen.
Killeen also wanted to thank team managers Guiliana Ligor and Callie MacLellan.
“They helped this team all season long and prepared junior, Addie Steele, to take over next season,” said Killeen.