Updates post publication:
North Reading falls to Lynnfield 1-0 (Oct. 16)
North Reading defeats Georgetown 6-2 on Senior Night (Oct. 18)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — The North Reading High boys’ soccer team blanked visiting Amesbury, 4-0, on Tuesday afternoon. With that shutout, the Hornets improved to 8-1-2 overall and 8-0-2 in the Cape Ann League.
The Hornets scored two goals in each half.
In the game’s 26th minute, Max Gulino scored assisted by Seth Evans. Four minutes later, Evans made it 2-0 assisted by Matt Fleury.
Evans struck again in the 16th minute of the second half with Gulino assisting.
Gulino then scored his team-high 13th goal of the season in the 63rd minute assisted by Finn Rodger.
“Max has been on a roll lately,” said Hornets head coach Mark Bisognano, about the junior. “He has found his scoring touch.”
Bisognano also praised Evans, who is a sophomore.
“He gives us a dual threat along with Max and forces opponents to have to play Max more straight up,” he explained.
Hornets goal-keeper, Davi Leao, made three saves to improve to 6-0-2 in net.
On Oct. 5, the Hornets defeated Triton, 4-1, at home.
After a scoreless first half, the Vikings scored the game’s first goal two minute into the second stanza.
Three minutes later, Gulino got fouled in the box and put home the penalty kick to even the score.
The Hornets got the eventual game-winning goal eight minutes later as Jackson Wesley headed in a corner kick by Rodger to make it 2-1.
Gulino made it 3-1 in the 73rd minute with Wesley assisting.
Rodger then had the final tally as he hooked in a corner kick.
“Finn has been solid for us all year,” said Bisognano, about the junior. “He is a real workhorse and, playing in the midfield, had done a great job on both ends of the field.”
Nik Laverdiere made his first-career start in goal and the junior made two saves to go to 1-0.
The next game for the Hornets will be on Oct. 12 as they visit Pentucket up in West Newbury. That game will start at 4:30 p.m.
The Hornets beat the Panthers 5-3 at home in the first match-up back on Sept. 12.
On Oct. 16, the team will play its biggest game to date as they visit Lynnfield with first place in the CAL Kinney Division on the line.
The two teams played a scoreless tie in the first meeting back on Sept. 21.
On Oct. 18, it is the Hornets Senior Night as they welcome Georgetown at 6 p.m. Before the game, the six North Reading 12th-graders will be honored.