Post publication update:
North Reading (No. 26) falls to Hanover (No. 5) 5-1 in the first round of the Div. 3 state tournament. (Nov. 1)
View full bracket and game results here.
Published October 30, 2025
Field hockey comes back to beat Essex Tech, travels to Hanover in tournament
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
DANVERS — Things looked grim late for the North Reading High field hockey team in its regular-season finale on Oct. 22 at Essex Tech as the Hornets trailed, 2-0, heading into the fourth quarter.
However, the team rallied and netted three goals to pull out the unlikely 3-2 win over the Hawks, who they beat both times this fall.
“I was very proud of the way we came back,” said Hornets head coach Mikayla Allen. “We showed a lot of heart.”
With 12:11 left in the game, Josie Lambert scored the Hornets’ first goal assisted by Brittany Morris.
Lucia Mini then tied the game with 3:37 left unassisted.
Mini then scored the game-winning goal with only 27 seconds left. That goal was also unassisted.
“Lucia normally plays center back but I moved her to forward at the start of the fourth quarter,” explained Allen, who added that Mini might be moved to forward for states as well.
Allen also subbed a lot during the fourth quarter to keep her players fresher.
The Hawks (3-11-1) scored both of their goals in the first half. Their first goal came off a corner with 11:05 remaining in the first. The second one came with 2:17 left in the second.
With the win, the Hornets end the regular season at 10-5-3 overall and 7-5-3 in the Cape Ann League. They ended up in third place behind Lynnfield and Newburyport in the CAL Kinney Division.
On Tuesday, the seedings came out for the MIAA Division 3 state tournament and the Hornets are the 26th seed.
They will travel to Hanover this Saturday, Nov. 1 at 1 p.m. in a first round matchup. Hanover is the 7th seed as they will enter the game with a record of 13-3. It will likely be about an hour drive south for North Reading.