Post publication update:
North Reading falls to Newburyport 2-1 (Oct. 2)
Posted on: Thursday, October 2, 2025
Fifth-ranked D3 boys’ soccer team beats Rockport, ties Pentucket
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
WEST NEWBURY — The North Reading High boys’ soccer team went to West Newbury on Tuesday to take on Penucket on a warm, sunny day. They ended up coming back home with a 1-1 draw.
With that tie, the Hornets’ record went to 7-0-2 overall and 6-0-2 in the Cape Ann League.
“We have been struggling finishing off plays,” admitted Hornets head coach Mark Bisognano. “We have had some good opposites lately that we have not cashed in on.”
After a scoreless opening half, the Hornets struck first as striker Davi Leao scored in the 64th-minute assisted by Gavin Wesley.
Six minutes later, the Panthers tied it off a corner kick.
Hornets sophomore goalkeeper Dylan O’Driscoll, made three saves to go to 7-0-2 in net.
On Sept. 26, the Hornets nipped Rockport, 2-1, on the road.
Just like the Pentucket game, this game was scoreless at the break.
In the 61st minute, Wesley scored assisted by Bernardo Pancini. Seven minutes later, Seth Evans got fouled in the box and scored on the penaity kick on the right side of the Viking net.
Rockport cut the lead to one a minute later off a free kick but the Hornets were able to hold on.
“That was a good game for us,” said Bisognano.” We were missing four players against Pentucket and five players in this game as we have had the injury bug hit us.”
O’Driscoll made three saves in this contest.
“He made a huge one when we were leading 1-0,” pointed out Bisognano.
On Oct. 2, the Hornets go to Newburyport looking for the season sweep over the Clippers as they won the first meeting, 6-1, in the season opener on Sept. 4. That game will start at 4:30 p.m.
Amesbury then comes to town on Oct. 7 with that game starting at 4:45 p.m.
Entering this week, the Hornets were ranked fifth in the MIAA Division 3 power rankings. The top 32 schools at the end of the regular season automatically qualify for the state tournament.