Fagen named CAL Player of the Year

Published in the June 14, 2018 edition

By DAN NUNN

NORTH READING — Led by senior captain Kevin Murphy’s scintillating 6-goal and 1-assist performance, the 6th-seeded Hornets opened the state tournament with a 13-11 home victory over the 11th seed Danvers Falcons in the first round of Division 2 North Sectional Tournament on June 6.   

Juniors Jay Schille and Sean Fagen both potted 2 goals and 1 assist. Freshman Jake DiNapoli and senior captain Jake Bedell each added 1 goal and 1 assist. Junior Mike Sheridan finished off the scoring with a goal and two assists.

Fall at Winchester, 14-8 in quarterfinals 

Less than 24 hours later, the Hornets traveled to Winchester to take on the 3rd-seeded Sachems in the North quarterfinals. Unfortunately, Winchester’s depth, aggressiveness and great goalie play proved too much for NRHS and the Sachems prevailed 14-8 to bring North Reading’s season to an end.

Sean Fagen led all scorers with 2 goals and 3 assists. Kevin Murphy and Mike Sheridan each recorded hat tricks as well.

Winchester will play Reading in the D2N Finals on Friday. 

SEAN FAGEN was named the 2018 CAL Player of the Year. Fagen had a terrific junior season on the attack for North Reading and had a great postseason, scoring two goals and an assist during the Hornets’ win over Danvers in the first round, and leading all scorers with three goals and two assists against Winchester in the quarterfinals. (John Friberg File Photo)

Fagen named CAL Player of the Year

Before their tournament run, numerous Hornets received league recognition from the Cape Ann League coaches.  Sean Fagen received the biggest honor as he became just the second player in school history to be named CAL Kinney Division Player of the Year. 

Fagen was also named a CAL 1st Team All-Star alongside Mike Sheridan, Jake Bedell, and Kevin Murphy.  Junior Travis Spencer was recognized as a 2nd Team All-Star while junior Mark Potter and senior Kyle Bythrow received Honorable Mention nods. The league coaches also awarded North Reading the Sportsmanship Award. 

On Sunday, the Hornets held their season-ending banquet.

Kevin Murphy was awarded the team MVP award for all of his work done on the field, in the building and in the community.  Murphy has also been nominated as an Academic All-American and awaits the announcement later this summer. 

The varsity Coach’s Award went to both Jay Schille and junior goalie Matt Supple.  The Offensive Player of the Year went to both Fagen and Sheridan while Bedell was named Defensive Player of the Year.  Lastly, first year senior Kyle Bythrow was awarded Rookie of the Year. 

In other news, Sheridan was named a “High School Hero” by Major League Lacrosse’s Boston Cannons and will be recognized at halftime of their game on June 23.  Also, Murphy and Bedell were both selected to play in the Agganis Lacrosse Classic on June 27. This game pits some of the best senior lacrosse players from the area against each other