UPDATE: Field hockey falls to Newburyport, shuts out Pentucket 1-0 on Senior Night

THE NRHS field hockey seniors were honored before their 1-0 win over Pentucket on Oct. 16. Pictured from left to right is Maddy Lambert, Ellie Moberg, Morgan Davis, Anna Abruzzese, Eva Hanegraaff and Alyse Mutti. (Eric Evans Photo)

After press time:
North Reading falls to Newburyport 3-1 (Oct. 25)

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

NORTH READING — On Monday night, the North Reading High field hockey team edged Ipswich, 1-0, on the road. With the win, the Hornets ran their unbeaten streak to 10 games as they improved to 13-1-2 overall and 12-1 and the Cape Ann League.

Sophia El-Sheikh scored with 10:13 left in the first quarter assisted by Eva Hanegraaff for the lone tally of an unseasonably warm evening.

Hornet goalie, Thea Panousos, made three saves to improve to 13-1-2. It was her 10^th shutout of the season and third in a row.

“They were fast and had some great stick skills,” said Hornets head coach Mikayla Allen. “We had some moments of playing well, but had a tough time capitalizing on scoring opportunities.”

Ipswich fell to 7-5-2 overall and 5-4-1 in the CAL with the defeat.

On Oct. 17, the Hornets blanked host Amesbury by a final of 2-0.

El-Sheikh scored in the first quarter with 10:32 left, unassisted.

The score stayed that way until Ellie Moberg scored and insurance goal with 40 seconds left in the game. That tally was also unassisted.

THE HORNETS have had plenty to celebrate during a strong season in which they’ve gone 13-1-2 as of press time. (Eric Evans Photo)

“We had a tough time adjusting to their grass field,” pointed out Allen, as Amesbury and Rockport are the only CAL teams that still play on a grass surface. “Their goalie had a strong game.”

Panousos turned back just one Red Hawk shot to get the easy shutout.

It was a successful Senior Night on Oct. 16 as the Hornets edged guest Pentucket, 1-0.

Alaina Driscoll scored the game’s lone goal in the second quarter with 12:35 left and that was unassisted.

Panousos made two saves as the Hornets completed the season sweep over the Panthers.

Before the game, the six Hornet seniors — Moberg, Hanegraaff, Morgan Davis, Maddie Lambert, Alyse Mutti and Anna Abruzzese were honored.

“They looked very strong out there and put up a good fight,” said Allen of the Panthers. “They had some strong players that were tough to keep up with.”

On Oct. 25, the Hornets welcome Newburyport at 4:30 p.m. looking for the season sweep over the Clippers as they beat them, 3-2, back on Sept. 23. That is the final game of the regular season.

The Hornets will then scrimmage at Andover on Oct. 28 to gear up for the state tournament that is starting later on next week.

North Reading entered this week ranked 6^th in the MIAA Division 3 power rankings.