Published in the November 17, 2016 edition
By DAN NUNN
Stung by Clippers in Shootout
LYNN— The Newburyport Clippers ended the Hornets season with their 1-1 (3-1) shootout victory in the Division 3 North Final on Saturday afternoon. Junior Juliette Nadeau scored for North Reading.
The game was wide open for the first 10 minutes of the first half. But it was the Clippers who struck first in the sixth minute when sophomore Julia Groth cut in from the right wing and fed a wide open junior Margaret Cole who beat Hassapis with a shot into the bottom right corner.
The goal didn’t deter the Hornets and just over four minutes later they tied it up. On the play junior Karlie Vesey sent a terrific through ball to Nadeau who broke into the box all alone and finished past junior Jen Stuart for the goal. Both teams tightened up their defense for the rest of the half and the game remained tied at halftime.
Most of the second half was played at midfield but in the final 15 minutes of regulation the North Reading offense turned up the heat. Seniors Marissa Zarella and Haley Nathan both had opportunities in the box but both attempts went wide and the game headed to extra time.
In the first period of extra time the Hornets had two glorious chances to score. In the 82nd minute Nadeau had a point blank chance that Stuart got a fingertip on and just a minute later a rocket from Zarella was also saved. Zarella had another chance in the second extra time period but her header just missed. As the whistle blew to end the extra sessions, the game went to a shootout.
For both teams it was the second game in as many days that would be decided in a penalty shootout. Unfortunately things didn’t go well for North Reading. The Hornets missed three of their four attempts and the Clippers went three for four to take the North crown.
The Lady Hornets entered the tournament as the fourth seed and came within a whisker of winning the whole thing. They finished with a record of 15–5–1.
Hassapis Named CAL Player of the Year again
As an indication of their superb season, a number of Lady Hornets on the girls varsity soccer team received postseason awards. Senior goalie Katerina Hassapis was named the CAL Player of the Year for the second year in a row, a CAL First Team All-League Player, and made the All-State Team and the EMass First Team. Senior Jessica Muise was also a CAL First Team All-League Player and an EMass Second Team All-Star. Senior captain Marissa Zarella and junior Karlie Vesey were named CAL All-Stars and the entire team was awarded the sportsmanship award as well.