By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — In a classic game that will be remembered for years to come, the North Reading High girls’ soccer team lost, 1-0, to visiting Martha’s Vineyard in the MIAA Div. 3 first round on Nov. 5 at NRHS.
This game went 24 shootout rounds after regulation and two overtimes with no score.
Ava Townes was the hero for the Vinyarders as she scored her third penalty kick just inside the left post to make it 21-20, which was the highest scoring shootout ever recorded in MIAA history. The shootout entered an on-going sudden death after the two teams were even through five shots each.
“I have never seen anything like it,” stated Hornets head coach Sean Killeen. “Both teams were technically solid especially after 100 minutes of soccer. It is a game that we will never forget, and even though we came out on the wrong side of it, I couldn’t be more proud of the girls and the team.”
North Reading had a few opportunities to score in regulation. Their first one came with just over six minutes left in the first half as an attempted shot hit the crossbar.
“Offensively, we created some great chances including that crossbar hit,” said Killeen.
In the 68th minute, Vineyarder goalkeeper Lucy Doyle (seven saves) made two big stops.
“Doyle made a couple of big saves, none bigger than pushing Kiersten’s (Higgins) laser shot wide of the far post,” said Killeen.
The game then went into two 10-minute overtime sessions before going to the epic shootout.
Hannah Frew was the Hornets goalkeeper in this game and she made five saves.
“Hannah owned the 18 and stuffed any chances that got close to the goal,” said Killeen. “Our defense, overall, was tight.”
With the loss, the 9th-seeded Hornets end the year at 12-3-4.
The 24th-seeded Vineyarders meanwhile, ended up losing to Tewksbury, 2-0, at home last Saturday in the Round of 16 to end up at 15-5-1.
