Post publication update:
North Reading defeats Rockport 3-2 (Sept. 26)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — The North Reading High boys’ soccer team went to Danvers on Tuesday afternoon and came home with a 2-0 road win over Essex Tech on a cloudy, warm day. With that result, the Hornets improved to 6-0-1 overall and 5-0-1 in the Cape Ann League.
Davi Leao scored the first goal in the fourth minute assisted by Nolan Pierce.
The score stayed that way until there was only three minutes remaining in the game as Seth Evans delivered the knockout goal assisted by Brendan Trentsch.
“It was a hard-fought win,” said Hornets head coach Mark Bisognano. “They have a scrappy team and after the first five minute of the game, were down three starters.”
Sophomore goalkeeper Dylan O’Driscoll, made four saves to go to 6-0-1 in net as he posted his fifth shutout of the year.
In their first non-league game of the year last Saturday afternoon, the Hornets blanked Chelmsford, 4-0, at home.
North Reading took command in the opening half as they went to the break leading 3-0.
“It was our most complete game of the year,” stated Bisognano.
In the 12th minute, Joe Serra opened the scoring with Pierce picking up the assist.
The Hornets then scored twice in a 54-second span in the 35th-minute to take control. Evans had the first goal assisted by Leao while Gavin Wesley had the second one also assisted by Leao.
The second half goal came in the 27th minute as Asher Schulz found the back of the Lions net assisted by Trentsch.
O’Driscoll made two saves.
“Both of the saves were spectacular,” said Bisognano. “He had one save each half.”
On Sept. 18, the Hornets hosted rival Lynnfield in a night game. North Reading ended up winning the huge CAL Kinney Division showdown 1-0
With a little over 14 minutes left in the game. Wesley scored assisted by Pierce.
“That was a very even game,” recalled Bisognano. “They had the advantage in the first half but we had it in the second.”
The downside of the game is that sophomore defenseman, Ryan DiCarlo, broke his foot and will be out for several weeks.
O’Driscoll had six saves against the Pioneers.
On Sept. 25, the Hornets visit Rockport at 6 p.m. Then, on Sept. 30, they travel to West Newbury to take on Pentucket.
That game will start at 4:45 p.m.