Beat Pentucket, Manchester-Essex

Published in the October 12, 2017 edition

HORNETS Lauren Comeau (left) and Ava Zarella (right) race a couple of Pentucket opponents for the ball. (John Friberg Photo)

By DAN NUNN

NORTH READING — The Lady Hornets returned home on October 2 after five straight road games and pulverized the Pentucket Sachems 4-0. Senior Jerlin Kaithamattam scored twice and now has nine goals on the season.

North Reading controlled possession for large portions of the first half but had trouble breaking down the Sachems defense. It looked like the half would end up scoreless, but with seconds remaining before halftime, Kaithamattam took a pass from senior Alyssa Prusik and hit a beautiful low shot past the Pentucket goalie’s fingertips to break the scoreless deadlock.

The lead quickly expanded in the second half. In the 42nd minute, senior captain Juliette Nadeau beat two defenders to the ball about 30 yards out, streaked into the box and patiently beat the goalie. Junior Mia DeNofrio and Kaithamattam would both add goals and NRHS cruised.

Sting Unbeaten Manchester-Essex 3-1

The Hornets earned arguably their best win of the season as they handed the Manchester-Essex Hornets their first loss of the year on October 4. Juliette Nadeau scored two goals and senior Meredith Griffin chipped in with her first goal of the season.

Nadeau quickly got the offense rolling in the first half with the opening score just three minutes into the game. In the 14th minute, North Reading extended the lead when Griffin scored off of a nice pass from Nadeau.  NRHS led 2-0 at the half.

Manchester-Essex managed to cut the lead to 2-1 a little over a minute into the second half. But 56 seconds later, Nadeau put any thoughts of a comeback to rest when she capped the scoring with her second goal of the game.

Georgetown Rallies to Tie Frustrated Hornets

The Georgetown Royals scored two goals in the final three minutes to erase a 3-1 deficit and earn a 3-3 tie with the Hornets. Juliette Nadeau scored twice to bring her season total to an astounding 13 goals.

After two goals from Nadeau and one from sophomore Joanna Kellogg, North Reading held a 3-1 lead with a little over three minutes remaining in the game. But out of nowhere, the Royals scored in the 77th minute and then added another in the 80th minute to force a miraculous tie with the frustrated Hornets.