Post publication update:
North Reading earns No. 10 seed and will host No. 23 Dedham in first round of D3 state tournament. Game details TBD.
Follow all the latest state tournament updates here.
Published October 30, 2025
Boys’ soccer beats Pentucket, clinches CAL Kinney title
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — It was a successful Senior Night for the North Reading High boys’ soccer team on Monday evening as they edged guest Pentucket, 2-1. With that victory, the Hornets went 1-0-1 against the Panthers as they tied, 1-1, back on Sept. 30.
“They are a pesky team that plays us hard,” said Hornets head coach Mark Bisognano.
With the win, North Reading ended up with an overall record of 14-2-2 overall and 12-2-2 in the Cape Ann League as they won the CAL Kinney Division for the second year in a row.
“The last time we did that was in the 1995-1996 seasons,” pointed out Bisognano, who was on that 1995 team.
After a scoreless opening half, the Hornets scored in the first minute of the second half as Gavin Wesley scored assisted by Davi Leao.
“That shot was a rocket from about 18-yards out,” pointed out Bisognano.
In the 61st minute, Leao scored his team-high 18th goal assisted by Wesley to make it 2-0.
The Panthers’ lone tally came with just over thee minutes remaining as they scored off a corner kick that was headed in.
However, the Hornets were able to preserve the lead the rest of the way to win their fifth consecutive game heading into states.
Dylan O’Driscoll made three saves in goal to improve to 14-2-2.
Before the game, the nine Hornet seniors were honored.
On Oct. 23, the Hornets shut out Essex Tech, 2-0, at home.That was the same score the first time the two schools met back on Sept. 23 in Danvers.
“This game looked like it was going to end as a scoreless tie,” admitted Bisognano, as both goals came in the second stanza.
With just over 16 minutes left, Wesley headed home a corner kick by Joe Serra.
Leao had the second tally with a little over six minutes remaining and that goal was assisted by Asher Schulz.
“Our defense was very strong,” recalled Bisognano, as O’Driscoll only had to make two stops in net.
The brackets for the MIAA Division 3 state tournament will come out on Saturday. The Hornets will get to open the states at home as they entered this week ranked 10th in the MIAA power rankings.