Girls’ soccer falls to Saugus in penalty kicks after scoreless stalemate

THE NRHS girls’ soccer team fell in a heartbreaking penalty kick shootout in the first round of the Div. 3 state tournament on the road against Saugus. The seniors led the Hornets to an incredible season with an overall record of 13-4-2. Pictured from left to right are seniors Bella Cannalonga, Bella Fischer, Maya Ortiz, Mia Benecke, Maggie Schulz, Julia DAngelis, Georgia Robarts, Madelyn Arian Aitchison, Madison Vant and Ellie Heintz. (File Photo)

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

SAUGUS — It was a heartbreaking way to end the season for the North Reading High girls’ soccer team last Saturday afternoon as they lost, 1-0, to host Saugus in penalty kicks in the MIAA Round of 32 playoff game. Saugus won the penalty kick session 4-3.

With that first-round defeat, the 17th-seeded Hornets ended the year at 13-4-2. The 16th-seeded Sachems, who improved to 15-3-1, visited top-seeded Medfield on Wednesday night in the Round of 16 (results not available at press time).

“I felt like we controlled play for the first 20 minutes but struggled in the final third,” said Hornets head coach Sean Killeen. “We then became a little impatient.”

Early in the second half, the Hornets lost midfielder Reilly Tassinari with an ankle injury.

“Reilly is the spark plug that keeps our attack balanced and dangerous,” stated Killeen. “You cannot replace her.”

North Reading had two great chances to score in the second half.

Alison Lanciani had the first threat as her direct kick hit the crossbar. Kierstin Higgins then headed the rebound but Sachem goalie, Tori Carter, was able to make the stop.

Carter finished the afternoon with eight stops.

The other good chance came when Lanciani served a cross through the 18 that found Despina Sfikas who labeled a shot that beat Carter, who stepped out of her crease, but a Sachem defender was tracking back and able to head the ball clear at the goal line.

SENIOR CAPTAIN Maggie Schulz played a great game to maintain a shutout in NR’s hard-fought, first round matchup against Saugus on Saturday. (File Photo)

“That was the game winner,” pointed out Killeen. “It was an incredible play by that defender she came out of nowhere.”

The game then went into the two 10-minute sudden-death overtime periods and, when no one scored, was settled in the shootout.

With the score tied at 3-3 in the shootout, the Sachems got the game-winner as Natalie Justice ended the game scoring on the Sachems’ fifth kick setting off a wild celebration.

Hornet goalie Maggie Schulz made 12 saves.

“Maggie made great plays in goal to keep the game scoreless,” said Killeen.

Madison Botta, Shay Sewell, and Veronica Ortega had the three other penalty-kick goals for the Sachems.

For the Hornets, Belle Lazure, Lanciani and Maddie Vant had the three penalty-kick goals.