Updates after press time:
North Reading defeats Martha’s Vineyard 9-4 (May 10)
North Reading defeats Triton 16-0 (May 7)
Published May 8, 2025
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — Last Friday afternoon, the North Reading High girls’ lacrosse team lost to rival Lynnfield, 15-11, at home.
Lynnfield was also able to retain the Sampson-Pepe Trophy for another year as the winner gets to hold on to the trophy.
With the defeat, the Hornets fell to 5-6 overall and 3-6 in the Cape Ann League.
“They have some really good players and were able to execute better than us in the second half,” said Hornets head coach Matt Costello. “We also had too many turnovers in the third quarter.”
This game was tied at eight at the half but the Hornets were outscored 6-0 in the third quarter.
“They dominated the draws,” pointed out Costello.
Makenzie Murphy led the North Reading offense with three goals and one assist while Mikaela O’Driscoll also recorded a hat trick.
Addison Hajj was the team’s other multiple scorer as she had two goals.
Alaina Driscoll had one goal and one assist while Lindsey Rosenthal and Willow Reyen both found the back of the Pioneer net once.
Hornet goalie, Cara Ward made 11 saves.
On April 30, the Hornets lost at Newburyport, 18-8, as the Clippers swept the season series. Newburyport won the first meeting back on April 2 by a final of 16-7.
“Newburyport improved a ton since we faced them the first time,” said Costello. “They have an incredible coach (Catherine Batchelder).”
The Clippers led this game, 12-3, at halftime as they outscored the Hornets, 6-5, in the second half.
Murphy had three goals while Driscoll had two goals and one assist. Single Hornet goals were scored by Rosenthal, Reyen and Sophia El-Sheikh.
Ward made six saves in that game.
On Saturday, the Hornets travel to Martha’s Vineyard for an 11:30 a.m. start.
North Reading then returns to CAL play on May 13 as they host Manchester-Essex at 4:30 p.m.
Entering this week, the Hornets were seeded 18th in the MIAA Division 4 power rankings. The top 32 teams at the end of the regular season automatically qualify for the tournament regardless of their record.