By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — It was a successful Senior Night for the North Reading High field hockey team on Tuesday as they edged rival Lynnfield 2-1. With that result, the Hornets improved to 5-7-1 overall and 4-7-1 in the Cape Ann League.
“That is the first time we have beat them in my six seasons here,” pointed out Hornets head coach Andrea Slaven. “We showed a lot of growth from the first time we played them back in early September (Lynnfield won 2-0).”
The first goal came with 11:50 remaining in the first quarter as Alyse Mutti scored, unassisted. Just 40 seconds into the second, senior co-captain Mary Majeski made it 2-0 with Keely Hannon picking up the assist.
Hornet junior goalie, Caroline Burton, made nine saves to go to 5-7-1 in net as she posted her second shutout of the year.
After the game, Slaven gave out game balls to junior defender Makenna Lord and Mutti who is a sophomore forward.
Before the game, the four Hornets seniors were honored along with the Lynnfield seniors.
The game at Malden slated for Oct. 17 was postponed due to the Malden teachers strike and will be made up on Oct. 27 at 4:30 p.m.
In a non-league game on Oct. 16, the Hornets lost at home to Danvers 3-1. The Falcons, who are one division higher than the Hornets (Div. 2), improved to 10-1-2.
For the Falcons, Bobbi Serino scored two goals along with one assist and captain Katherine Purcel had the other tally. Danvers scored with 1:42 and two seconds left in the first quarter. Danvers made it 3-0 with 7:11 left in the game.
Majeski scored with 1:13 as the Hornets were able to avoid the shutout.
Burton made nine stops in net.
“They are a very good team,” said Slaven. “This was a good learning experience for us.”
The news was much better on Oct. 13 as the Hornets shut out guest Georgetown by a final of 3-0.
Ellie Moberg made it 1-0 with 4:08 left in the first and Lord scored her first goal of the year with 7:20 remaining in the second assisted by Majeski as the goal came off a rebound.
Majeski, the team’s top scorer, had the final tally with 11:25 left in the fourth quarter.
Burton made four saves in this game.
“They played well despite the heavy rain we had to deal with,” said Slaven.
North Reading’s next game is Thursday (Oct 20), as they visit Rockport at 5 p.m.
On Oct. 24, the Hornets go to Newburyport at 5:45 p.m. The two schools tied each other, 1-1, on Sept. 26 in the first meeting.
The final home game of the regular season is on Oct. 26 as they face Pentucket. That game will start at 4:30 p.m.