Update post publication:
North Reading defeats Malden 5-0 (Oct. 4)
North Reading defeats Amesbury 1-0 (Oct. 6)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — The North Reading High field hockey team edged visiting Essex Tech, 2-1, Monday afternoon on a warm, sunny day.
With that win, the Hornets were able to get a split of the season series against the Hawks, who are newcomers to the Cape Ann League this season.
North Reading climbed over the .500 mark with the victory as they improved to 4-3-2 overall and 2-3-2 in the CAL.
“We are a lot different team than when we faced them the first time,” said Hornets first-year head coach Mikayla Allen. “We learned a lot from that loss.”
Keely Hannon scored the game’s first goal with 2:35 left in the first quarter to give the locals the lead. Ellie Moberg assisted.
The Hawks tied it with 26 seconds left in the first as Nei-Nei Winslow scored.
The game-winning goal was scored by Maddie Lambert off a corner with 1:30 remaining in the third. Moberg assisted.
Senior co-captain, Caroline Burton, made three saves as her record improved to 4-3-2 in net.
In their first non-league match of the year on Sept. 27, the Hornets beat guest Malden by a final of 5-1.
Most of this game was played in the Golden Tornadoes territory as the Hornets raced out to a 3-0 halftime lead.
Hannon was the star of this one as she recorded her first-career hat trick.
“She did a wonderful job,” stated Allen, about the senior co-captain. “She has really come into her own.”
Sabrina Mini and Josie Lambert (Maddie’s sister) had the two other goals.
Burton turned back two shots on net.
The next game for the Hornets will take place on Oct. 6 as they host Amesbury. On Oct. 11, they visit Hamilton-Wenham.
Both of those games will start at 4:30 pm.