Post publication update:
North Reading qualifies for MIAA state tournament, defeating Danvers 9-7 (May 23)
Published May 22, 2025
Laxmen win on senior day and take OT thriller in 20th anniversary game
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — On Monday afternoon, the North Reading High boys’ lacrosse team edged Amesbury, 9-7, at home on a windy, cloudy day.
With that victory, the Hornets improved to 8-9 overall and 5-5 in the Cape Ann League. The Red Hawks, meanwhile, fell to 5-13 overall and 4-11 in the CAL.
“They played us really well,” said Hornets head coach Chuck Campobasso. “They have a really improved program but I was proud of the way we hung in there.”
The Hornets led this game, 4-2, at the half.
PJ Conte led the North Reading attack with three goals while Finn Rodger had two goals and one assist.
Dylan O’Driscoll also scored twice while Conrad Gerber had two assists to go with one goal.
Brendan Gazda led the team in assists with three.
Hornet goalie David Tran, made 17 saves.
It was also the Hornets’ Senior Day as 10 players and the team manager were honored before the game.
The Hornets had another close home win last Saturday morning as they edged non-league Methuen, 9-8, in overtime on the team’s 20th-year anniversary game.
Gavin Wesley was the hero in this one as he scored the game-wining goal 52 seconds into overtime setting off a huge celebration.
“He made an awesome play,” pointed out Campobasso. “He made a steal in front of our net and went down the field and was able to finish it.”
This game was nip-and-tuck most of the way.The Rangers led, 7-4, at the half but the Hornets chipped away and held Methuen to only one second-half tally.
Jackson Wesley led the offense with a hat trick.
Gazda had two goals and one assist while Rodger had one goal and a pair of assists.
Conte and O’Driscoll had the two other goals.
Tran made 16 stops.
On May 15, the Hornets were doubled up, 16-8, by host Pentucket. The Panthers were able to get a split of the season series as North Reading won the first meeting, 7-5, back on April 15.
“In that first game against them, they were missing some of their top players,” recalled Campobasso. “They had everybody back for this game and they had too many weapons for us to deal with.”
The Panthers led this one, 8-5, at the half as they outscored the Hornets, 8-3, in the second half.
O’Driscoll had three goals and one assist while Rodger had two goals and one assist.
Gazda, Gerber and Jackson Wesley all scored once. Conte had two assists while Tran made 16 saves.
The Hornets wrap up the regular season on Friday as they welcome Danvers. That non-league game will start at 4 p.m.
The seedings for the state tournament will come out May 28.
Entering this week, North Reading was seeded 19th 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.