By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORWELL — North Reading High boys’ lacrosse coach Chuck Campobasso knew his team faced an uphill battle when they visited Norwell on June 4 in the MIAA Div. 4 Round of 16.
The Clippers showed why Campobasso’s concerns were legitimate as they won, 11-2, on a hot, sunny day.
With that loss, the 19th-seeded Hornets ended the year at 10-10. Meanwhile, the 5th-seeded Clippers beat Oakmont, 18-5, last Saturday at home in the quarterfinals to improve to 15-6 and took on Manchester-Essex on Wednesday in the state semifinals (result unknown as of press time).
Dylan O’Driscoll scored the first goal of the afternoon to give the Hornets a temporary, 1-0, lead assisted by Brendan Gazda. However, the Clippers took control the rest of the way shutting the Hornets out the rest of the first half.
“We were down, 7-2, heading into the fourth quarter and started to press and that allowed them to score four more times in the fourth because we had to take some chances,” explained Campobasso.
PJ Conte, assisted by Gavin Wesley, had the other Hornet tally in the third quarter.
Hornet goalie David Tran made nine saves.
Norwell was led by Jake McGuirk who had four goals and one assist while Oliver Rice had two goals and a game-high three assists. Teddy Glynn also recorded a hat trick.
Wyatt Franssen won 10 face-offs and Clipper goalie, Devyn Blige, made nine saves.