Published in the October 5, 2017 edition
By DAN NUNN
BILLERICA — Seniors Jerlin Kaithamattam and Juliette Nadeau both notched hat tricks as the Hornets pounded the Shawsheen Tech Panthers 7-0 on September 25. Junior Alyssa Crugnale also secured a shutout for the first time in her varsity career.
North Reading pounced on Shawsheen early and often. In the first 10 minutes Kaithamattam and Nadeau scored two goals apiece and NRHS jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead. Nadeau and Kaithamattam would both complete their hat tricks before the first half was over and the Hornets held a commanding 6-0 halftime lead.
NRHS continued to stifle the Panthers offense in the second half. Senior Abigail Leighton capped the scoring when she received a beautiful through ball from senior Morgan Lally and North Reading secured the impressive victory.
Unbeaten Streak Snapped by Clippers
The Lady Hornets traveled to Newburyport on September 26 for a rematch of the 2016 Division 3 North Final and as was the story then the Clippers won, this time by a 3-1 margin. Jerlin Kaithamattam scored for NRHS.
The Clippers came out firing on all cylinders and put up two quick goals within the opening 10 minutes. For the rest of the first half, North Reading settled in and began to put more pressure on Newburyport. But the half still finished at 2-0.
Early in the second half, Juliette Nadeau snuck a ball to a hustling Kaithamattam for a goal to cut the lead in half. The Hornets hit a post shortly thereafter and they continued to put pressure on the Clippers. But unfortunately with five minutes left, the Clippers buried goal number three to end the chances for a tie.
Sneak Past Hamilton-Wenham 2-1
After a tough loss at Newburyport, the Hornets returned to the road for their fifth consecutive game and defeated the Hamilton-Wenham Generals 2-1 on Thursday. Juliette Nadeau scored twice and now has eight goals on the season.
North Reading got off to a solid start and were able to open the scoring in the 15th minute. On the play, Kaithamattam found Nadeau who beat her defender and finished to make it 1-0. A little time later the Generals equalized and looked like the first half would end at 1-1.
But in the 40th minute, Nadeau scored again to give the Hornets a 2-1 halftime lead. That goal proved to be huge as the second half was scoreless and NRHS escaped with the win.