Published in the October 11, 2018 edition

By DAN NUNN

NORTH READING — The Hornets suffered their fifth loss of the season with a 3-1 defeat to the Pentucket Sachems on October 1. Junior Ryan McKinney scored his first goal of the season.

The game started out with neither team threatening to score. Eventually though, Pentucket wore down NRHS and in the 26th minute the Sachem opened the scoring. On the play, senior Kevin Wall’s clearance was blocked and the ball deflected right to a Pentucket forward for a tap in. That finished the scoring in the first half.

Twelve minutes into the second half, the Sachems increased the lead to 2-0 when a counterattack led to a cross and a header.

But the Hornets didn’t quit and in the 67th minute McKinney scored when he beat the Pentucket keeper to the ball and tipped it into the back of the net. Unfortunately, Pentucket tacked one more goal on the board and finished off the win. 

Stung by Manchester-Essex 3-0

SENIOR Sean Haynes has provided stability and leadership on the Hornets’ defense this fall, most recently in the team’s 1-0 shutout win at Georgetown. The boys’ soccer team plays tonight under the lights at Lynnfield (6 p.m.) and is home next Monday against Rockport. (Courtesy Photo)

On October 3, Manchester-Essex came to North Reading sporting the best record in the CAL Baker Division and stung the Hornets 3-0. 

M-E dominated possession in the first half, but North Reading was able to create a few good chances. But the chances didn’t result in a goal and eventually the visitors’ possession paid off with a late goal. The Hornets found themselves down 1-0 at the half.

Right out of the break, M-E was awarded a penalty kick and scored to make it 2-0.  After the second goal, NRHS turned up the pressure on the Manchester-Essex defenders.  Unfortunately, the Hornets were unable to turn the pressure into a goal and M-E grabbed another goal late in the game. 

Escape Georgetown with 1-0 Victory

The Hornets snapped their four-game losing streak with a 1-0 victory over the Georgetown Royals on Friday. Junior Cam Chinchillo scored the lone goal.

The Hornets were in control from the opening whistle. The ball was in the Georgetown end of the field for most of the first half but NRHS was unable to break down the bunkered in Royals defense and their All-League goalkeeper.

It was more of the same in the second half. But finally in the 59th minute the Hornets broke through. On the play Kevin Wall put a long free kick from midfield into the Georgetown penalty area where Chinchillo hit a beautiful header into the far side of the goal. 

The goal proved to be enough thanks to the strong work from junior goalie Will Carpenter, sophomore John Tramontozzi and the rest of the North Reading defense for the remainder of the game. 

North Reading (4-6) hosted Masco on Tuesday after press time. They travel to Lynnfield tonight and host Rockport on Monday at 4:30 p.m.