Update after press time: North Reading falls to Newburyport 16-7 (April 2)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — The North Reading High girls’ lacrosse team has come out of the gates strong as they won their first two games of the year beating two non-league opponents.
On Monday afternoon, they defeated Gloucester, 15-2, at home.
The Hornets took command in the opening half as were were up by nine (10-1) at the break.
“We improved a lot from the Shawsheen game,” said Hornets head coach Matt Costello. “Our offense was very aggressive.”
Lindsey Rosenthal and Mikaela O’Driscoll led the attack as each girl recorded a hat trick.
Alaina Driscoll finished the day with three points as she had two goals and one assist while Addison Hajj and Sophia El-Sheikh each found the back of the Fishermen net twice.
Eva Cannalonga had one goal and one assist while Jill Ball and Maya Menis each scored their first-career goals.
Cara Ward improved to 2-0 in net as the sophomore made two saves playing the first three quarters.
Bella Mawn mopped up in net in the fourth quarter turning back three shots.
In the season opener on Friday, the Hornets beat host Shawsheen Tech, 7-4, in Billerica.
“We had a strong defensive effort,” pointed out Costello.
North Reading led 5-2 at the half as each school scored twice in the second half.
Driscoll had three goals and one assist while Hajj also scored three times.
O’Driscoll led the team in assists with three and she also scored once while Rosenthal added one assist.
Ward, in her varsity debut, made four saves as she played the entire game.
On Sunday, the Hornets will travel to Gordon College to take on host Hamilton-Wenham. That game will start at 4 p.m.