Hornets celebrate seniors with 3-0 rivalry win

THE NRHS field hockey seniors were honored before their 3-0 victory over rival Lynnfield on Monday. It was North Reading’s 9th win in a row. Pictured from left to right is Caroline Burton, Makenna Lord, Keely Hannon and Sabrina Mini. (Eric Evans Photo)

Update post publication:
North Reading falls to Newburyport 6-1 (Oct. 25)

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

NORTH READING — It was a successful Senior Night for the North Reading High field hockey team on Monday evening as the Hornets blanked rival Lynnfield 3-0.

The red-hot Hornets won their ninth-strength game as they improved to 11-3-2 overall and 9-3-2 in the Cape Ann League.

North Reading went 1-0-1 against the Pioneers as they tied, 1-1, back on Sept. 20 in the first meeting.

Josie Lambert scored the first goal off a corner with 12:35 left in the first quarter. Alyse Mutti got the assist as Lambert put home a rebound off Mutti’s shot.

Mutti then made it 2-0 off a corner with 2:05 left in the first half. Ellie Moberg assisted.

With only 14 seconds left in the first half, Eva Hanegraaff made it 3-0 with an unassisted goal.

“That final goal sealed the deal,” said Hornets head coach Mikayla Allen. “It took the wind out of their sails.”

With five minutes gone in the fourth quarter, the lights went out and the officials decided to end the game

Hornet goalkeeper Caroline Burton made three saves to go to 11-3-2 as she recorded her ninth shutout of the fall.

Before the game, the four Hornet 12th-graders were honored. Those seniors are Burton, Sabrina Mini, Keely Hannon and Makenna Lord.

CAROLINE BURTON and the four senior captains ran onto their home field with the support of their teammates on Senior Night Monday. Burton’s shutout over Lynnfield was her 9th of the season. (Eric Evans Photo)

On Oct. 19, the Hornets shut out guest Ipswich 3-0, in their lone meeting of the season.

In the first quarter, Joanne McLoughlin had the first tally off a corner with 1:54 left assisted by Moberg.

Moberg then made it 2-0 with an unassisted goal with 2:14 left in the first half.

Alaina Driscoll had the final goal with 8:29 remaining in the game and that goal was also unassisted.

Burton made two saves in net.

Entering this week, the Hornets were ranked 14th in the MIAA Division 3 power rankings. The top 32 teams at the end of the regular season automatically qualify for the state tournament.

“We have shown a huge improvement since the start of October,” pointed out Allen.

The Hornets played Newburyport yesterday after press time and will host Arlington in a scrimmage on Oct. 30 and then find out who they will open with in the states in the middle of the week.