By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
HANOVER — The North Reading High field hockey team fell to host Hanover, 5-1, on Saturday afternoon in the first round of the MIAA Division 3 state tournament at Gerrish Memorial Field on a sunny, cool day.
With that defeat, the 26th-seeded Hornets ended the season at 10-6-3. Meanwhile, 7th-seeded Hanover lost to Lynnfield at home, 2-0, on Tuesday in the Round of 16 to end the year at 14-4.
“They have a good team and were able to apply a lot of pressure on us,” said Hornets head coach Mikayla Allen. “We just could not get it together.”
Olivia McCormick led the Hawks attack with two goals; Allie Condon had one goal and one assist while, Abby Minasi and Grace Gilligan had the two other goals for the hosts.
Katie Jones led the team in assists with two.
Hanover scored twice in the first quarter with 9:56 and 4:15 left.
They then went to the half leading 3-0 as they scored with 3:10 remaining in the second quarter.
North Reading cut the lead to two with 2:38 left in the third scoring off a corner. Kara Russell had the tally assisted by Alaina Driscoll to give the team some life.
However, the Hawks answered just 1:26 later to regain the momentum.
“That goal took the wind out of our sails,” admitted Allen.
The final Hanover goal came with just six seconds left in the game.
North Reading goalie, Thea Panousos, made seven saves.
While the Hawks had 12 shots on goal, the Hornets had just five as Hawks goalie, Lucy Thibeault, made four saves.