Update after press time: North Reading defeats Triton 10-3 (April 10)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
WENHAM — The North Reading High boys’ lacrosse team hammered visiting Hamilton-Wenham, 16-2, at home Monday on a raw, wet day. With the win, the Hornets improved to 3-1 overall and 2-1 in the Cape Ann League.
“They have a young, rebuilding program,” explained Hornets head coach Chuck Campobasso about the Generals. “We got to give everybody a lot of playing time.”
North Reading led this one, 10-0, at the half.
Brendan Gazda led the way with four goals and two assists while Dylan O’Driscoll was right behind him with four goals and one assist.
PJ Conte had five points with three goals and two helpers while Gavin Wesley had one goal and a pair of assists.
Finn Rodger and Anthony Tammaro both had one goal and one assist.
Jackson Wesley and Brayden Carlson each found the back of the Generals’ net once to round out the scoring.
Hornet goalie, David Tran, made 10 saves as he played the first three quarters to go to 2-1. Tripp Harrington mopped up in net in the fourth quarter and made three stops.
On April 5, the Hornets beat guest Essex Tech, 10-4, in a morning game. North Reading led wire-to-wire as they were up, 5-1, at the break.
O’Driscoll led the way in this one with four goals and one assist. Gazda had a team-high three assists to go with one goal. Conte and Roger each had one goal and one assist.
Single Hornet goals were scored by Conrad Gerber, Carlson and Tammaro.
“We lost to them both times last year,” pointed out Campobasso. “We got off to a great start and got a lot of different players who contributed, which I love to see.”
Harrington, a junior, made his first-ever start in net and he made 12 saves.
On April 2, the Hornets lost at Newburyport, 15-2. The Clippers led this one 6-0 at halftime.
“They have a lot of skilled athletes and they also have great size,” said Campobasso. “They dominated the face-offs.”
The Clippers won 17 of 20 face-offs as they controlled the territorial play all afternoon.
O’Driscoll and Gazda had the two Hornet goals while Conte recorded two assists.
Tran played the first three quarters in net making eight saves. Harrington made four stops in the final quarter.
On Thursday, the Hornets visit Triton up in Byfield. North Reading then hosts Pentucket on Tuesday, April 15.
Both of those games will start at 4:30 p.m.