Updates post publication:
North Reading defeats Essex Tech 1-0 (Oct. 3)
North Reading defeats Triton 4-1 (Oct. 5)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — With their 1-0 home win over Essex Tech on Tuesday afternoon, the North Reading High boys’ soccer team was able to complete the season sweep over the Cape Ann League newcomer Hawks.
Seth Evans was the hero in this game as the sophomore scored his first varsity goal in the second minute of the first half. That tally was unassisted.
From there, the Hornets dominated the possession play but were unable to score again.
“We knew Essex Tech was better than the first time we played them,” said Hornets head coach Mark Bisognano, as North Reading won the first meeting, 6-0, in the season opener on Sept. 5. “We had plenty of opportunities to score but their goalkeeper played well.”
Hornets’ goalkeeper, Davi Leao, had an easy day as he didn’t have to make any saves as he improved to 5-0-2 in net. That was his third shutout of the season.
Overall, North Reading went to 6-1-2 and in the CAL they improved to 6-0-2.
Bisognano was also pleased with the play of the Wesley brothers, Jackson (junior) and Gavin (sophomore) on defense.
On Sept. 30, the Hornets blanked host Rockport, 2-0, in a morning game.
The first goal didn’t come until the 70th-minute when Finn Rodger scored assisted by Kieran Miller. Five minutes later, freshman Brendan Trentsch found the back of the Vikings net assisted by Noah Schifano.
For Trentsch, it was his first-career goal.
“We were missing a couple of our starters,” pointed out Bisognano. “Our bench players stepped up when we needed them to.”
Leao made four saves in that game.
On Oct. 5, the Hornets host Triton. They then welcome Amesbury on Oct. 10. Both of those games will start at 4:45 p.m.