Published in the September 20, 2018 edition
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — Last fall, the North Reading High field hockey team finished 4-14 overall. Seven seniors from that squad graduated but second-year head coach Andrea Slaven did welcome back 10 veterans when training camp opened on Aug. 23.
Two of those veterans back are this year’s senior captains, Erica Burgholzer and Codi Eicher. Both girls are defenders.
The other Hornets back are Abby Delano (senior-forward), Abby Carroll (senior-midfielder), Maggie Majeski (junior-defenseman), Emma Lord (junior-midfielder), Rees Lord (sophomore-midfielder), Maggie Majeski (junior-defenseman), Makenna Lamont (junior-midfielder), Ava Czarnota (sophomore-forward) and Jeny Collins (sophomore- forward).
“This preseason has went better than last year,” said Slaven. “We needed less time to go over skills.”
Some of the preseason games were canceled due to the excess heat but the Hornets did participate in a jamboree hosted by Lexington High back on Aug. 31 along with the host team. They also scrimmaged Winchester, Newburyport and Georgetown.
On Monday afternoon, the Hornets improved to 1-1 as they blanked guest Malden, 6-0, in a non-league game on a damp, cool day.
Delano scored twice and had one assist to lead the attack. Rees Lord and Majeski both had one goal and one assist. Collins and Carroll had the two other Hornet goals.
North Andover scored three times each half.
Sophomore goalie Emma Borland recorded her first varsity win with two saves to go to 1-1 in net.
On Sept. 6, the Hornets lost the season opener 4-0 at home to Lynnfield to fall to 0-1 in the Cape Ann League.
“We dominated the first 15 minutes but, after they scored, it took the wind out of our sails,” said Slaven.
Lynnfield scored twice in the first half and, three minutes into the second half, the game was delayed 45 minutes due to lightning. When the game resumed the guests scored twice more.
Borland made eight saves in goal.