MAGGIE SCHULZ
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — Three members of the North Reading High girls’ soccer team were recently named to the Cape Ann League All-Star team that was selected by the league coaches. Two Hornets made the CAL First-Team All-Stars while one made the second team.
The two CAL First-Team All-Stars are Tiara Lamont and Maggie Schulz.
Lamont, a senior captain, finished with 13 points as she had five goals and eight assists. Schulz, a junior goalkeeper, went 16-4-1 overall and saved 142 shots in 21 games. She posted nine shutouts and had a goals-against average of 0.66.
“Tiara was one of our strongest one-on-one players with good field vision too in the offensive third,” said Hornets head coach Sean Killeen, about the midfielder. “Her shoes will be difficult to fill.”
Killeen will have Schulz for one more year next fall.
“Maggie not only understands her position, she plays with great confidence and composure,” said Killeen. “She is cool and calm and will be a rock for this team next season.”
The Hornets second-team all-star is Allie Lanciani. The freshman forward had eight goals and two assists.
It is the first postseason honor for all three girls.
“Allie was able and willing to help the team wherever necessary,” said Killeen. “She is gifted with tremendous skill, deceptive speed, and an intense compete level. The sky is the limit for her.”
Four North Reading High girls soccer team took home awards at the team’s recently-held banquet. The team MVP Award went to Lamont.
The Coaches Awards went to Brynn McCormack and Madison Vant. McCormack was a senior center-midfielder while Vant is a junior defenseman who was elected co-captain next year along with Schulz and junior midfielder Bella Cannalonga.
The Unsung Heroine Award went to senior center-defenseman Kiera Osterlind.
North Reading had a very successful season this fall as they lost, 1-0, at Hanover in the MIAA Division 3 Round of 8 game to finish with a final record of 16-4-1.
In the Cape Ann League, they a record of 10-3-1 as they finished in third place in the CAL Kinney division behind Newburyport and Pentucket.
“This season was special for many reasons,” stated Hornets head coach Sean Killeen. “I think from the beginning of the season it was easy to see that this group was about the team and its possibilities, more so than just the wins and losses. We had strong senior leadership, experienced and first-year varsity players supporting each other in all possible ways that made this team very special and a blast to coach. The growth of the team over the course of the season was special – players willing and able to step up and play different positions in different situations or when players were injured other players stepping up and playing at their highest level was remarkable”
The Hornets will lose 13 seniors to graduation. Along with Lamont, McCormack and Osterlind, they will also lose Sophia Barker (outside midfielder), Alyssa Bradley (outside midfielder), Jenna DiNapoli (captain forward), Maggie Fortin (outside midfielder), Kylie Gettings (forward), Maya Nickerson- (forward), Sami Patch (forward), Erica Pepper (defenseman) and Olivia Vasquez (outside defender).
They also lose team manager Meredith Casey.
“This senior class was exceptional and we hope that they take away as much from their experience to help them in all aspects of life. It started with the captains as both Lamont and DiNapoli were open and able to communicate to keep the team moving forward,” said Killeen.
The Hornets are slated to return 12 veterans, including six starters next year.
“We should be able to build off the success of this season but that directly relates to the work between now and then,” said Killeen. “The future looks bright.”