Post publication update:
North Reading falls to Lynnfield 1-0 (Oct. 14)
North Reading defeats Triton 8-0 (Oct. 9)
Published October 9, 2025
Boys’ soccer team continues winning ways, improves to 8-1-2
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — The North Reading High boys’ soccer team shut out visiting Amesbury, 4-0, on Tuesday afternoon. With that victory, the Hornets improved to 8-1-2 overall and 7-1-2 in the Cape Ann League. All four Hornet goals came in the opening half.
“We scored three goals in an eight-minute span,” pointed out Hornets head coach Mark Bisognano.
Jack Lazure opened the scoring in the 11th-minute assisted by Seth Evans. In the 28th-minute, Gavin Wesley made it 2-0 and that tally was unassisted.
Two minutes later, Evans found the back of the Red Hawks net with Davi Leao assisting. Evans then picked up his second assist of the afternoon in the 36th-minute as Joe Serra scored.
“Seth was sharp from the beginning,” said Bisognano, about the senior captain. “He came out very aggressive.”
Hornet sophomore goalkeeper Dylan O’Driscoll, made three saves to go to 8-1-2 in net.
On Oct. 1, the Hornets suffered their first loss of the season as they were edged, 2-1, at Newburyport. North Reading won the first meeting, 6-1.
“We knew that it was going to be a tough game,” said Bisognano. “The first time we played them it seemed like every shot we had went in and we knew that wasn’t going to be the case this time.”
Leao scored the lone goal of the opening stanza in the 38th-minute assisted by Wesley.
The Clippers responded, scoring both of their goals off of free kicks in the second half.
“We have been giving up a lot of goals off free kicks lately,” said Bisognano. “We seemed to have hit a mid-season mental wall.”
The Hornets went to West Newbury on Sept. 30 to take on Penucket. They ended up coming back home with a 1-1 draw.
“We have been struggling finishing off plays,” admitted Hornets head coach Mark Bisognano. “We have had some good opposites lately that we have not cashed in on.”
After a scoreless opening half, the Hornets struck first as Leao scored in the 64th-minute assisted by Wesley.
Six minutes later, the Panthers tied it off a corner kick.
O’Driscoll, made three saves to go to 7-0-2 in net.
On Sept. 26, the Hornets nipped Rockport, 2-1, on the road.
Just like the Pentucket game, this game was scoreless at the break.
In the 61st minute, Wesley scored assisted by Bernardo Pancini. Seven minutes later, Evans got fouled in the box and scored on the penalty kick on the right side of the Viking net.
Rockport cut the lead to one a minute later off a free kick but the Hornets were able to hold on.
“That was a good game for us,” said Bisognano.” We were missing four players against Pentucket and five players in this game as we have had the injury bug hit us.”
O’Driscoll made three saves in this contest.
“He made a huge one when we were leading 1-0,” pointed out Bisognano.
On Oct. 9, the Hornets host Triton at 4:45 p.m. looking for the season sweep against the Vikings as they won, 3-0, in the first game back on Sept. 9.
On Oct. 14 in a huge game, the Hornets visit rival Lynnfield at 4:15 p.m. North Reading beat the Pioneers, 1-0, back on Sept. 18.
Entering this week, the Hornets were ranked 8th in the MIAA Division 3 power rankings.