Update after press time: North Reading falls to Ipswich 17-6 (April 17)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
WEST NEWBURY — On Tuesday afternoon, the North Reading High girls’ lacrosse team lost, 16-9, at Pentucket. The Panthers never trailed in this game leading wire-to-wire. The game was also delayed a while, midway through, due to some thunder.
“They have a high-tempo attack and they started off fast,” said Hornets head coach Matt Costello.
With the loss, the Hornets’ record dipped to 4-3 overall and 2-3 in the Cape Ann League. The Panthers, meanwhile, improved to 4-3 overall and 3-1 in the league.
Addison Hajj led the Hornets in goals with three while Alaina Driscoll had two goals and one assist. Makenzie Murphy also scored two times.
Mikaela O’Driscoll had one goal and one assist while Eva Cannalonga had the other goal.
Lindsay Rosenthal added one assist.
Hornet goalie, Cara Ward, made seven saves.
Last Saturday morning, the Hornets edged Essex Tech, 8-7, at home on a rainy day.
Cannalonga scored the game-winning goal with just over five minutes remaining.
“Our defense pitched a shutout in the fourth quarter,” pointed out Costello. “We trailed, 7-3, heading into the fourth. I was proud of the way we fought back and this was our most resilient game of the year.”
Hajj, O’Driscoll and Driscoll all found the back of the Hawks net twice. Murphy had the team’s other tally.
Ward turned back six shots in this game.
On April 10, North Reading rolled over visiting Triton, 16-4.
“We got down 2-0 early but we outscored them 8-2 the rest of the first half,” pointed out Costello. “We then really got going in the second half.”
Hajj had five goals and one assist while Murphy had three goals and three assists. Rosenthal also recorded a hat trick.
Willow Reyen and Driscoll both scored twice.
Cannalonga had three assists to go with one goal while O’Driscoll had one assist.
Ward had an easy day in net as she only had to make one save.
The next game for the Hornets will be on Thursday as they host a tough Ipswich team at 4:15 p.m.
“That will be a true measuring-stick game for us,” said Costello.
They then have the April Vacation Week off next week as they do not return to action until April 28 when they visit Essex Tech.That game will start at 4:15 p.m.