RallyNorth.net

NEWBURYPORT — The opening two rounds of the state tournament have been nothing short of target practice for the Newburyport girls soccer team over the past three seasons.

The Clippers posted their sixth consecutive pre-semifinal round shutout yesterday, beating North Reading, 2-0, in the EMass. Division 3 North quarterfinal at Cherry Hill Park. The second-seeded Clippers received a goal and an assist from junior Veronica Poirier. Senior Taylor Bresnahan added a goal, and classmate Laura Muise had an assist.

North Reading blanked North Shore Tech, 3-0, to advance to the Division 3 North quarterfinals. The Hornets travel to Newburyport on Tuesday for a 2 p.m. meeting with the Clippers.

2007 Eagle-Tribune All-Star Jenn Pino netted a hat trick in North Andover's 5-0 win over North Reading. DeeDee Fagan and Ali Coleman also had goals to help the Scarlet Knights improve to 12-2-1.

In tightly contested and physical game that was played virtually entirely between the 18-yard boxes, Amesbury almost pulled out a crucial tie against North Reading after knotting the score at 1-1, three minutes into the second half. The result was not to be as the Indian defense broke down one time in the second half and the Hornets scored the game-winner.

Underclassmen played a big role in North Reading's 5-0 win over Manchester-Essex in girls soccer. Freshman Jessie Valenti had two goals and sophomore Brittany Angiolillo one goal in the win while sophomore Erin Brooks turned aside five shots in the Hornets' net.

She did it. In a 3-1 win over North Reading, Newburyport's Jillian Kinter tied Kristin Mahoney's school record for goals scored in a career with 76 when Veronica Poirier took a throw in from Avery Cullinan in the seventh minuted and crossed back door to the wide open senior.

North Reading tallied goals from Lauren Pawlowski, Alessandra LeFort and Kara LeFort to down previously undefeated Shawsheen 3-0. The Hornets peppered Shawsheen with 26 shots on goal to improve to 6-1-2.

Rockport goalie Kelsey Keough did her best to help the Vikings (1-6) with 20 saves in net, but it wasn't enough. Laura Donnelly also played well for Rockport in the midfield.

After a scoreless first half, Allessandra Lefort and Brittany Angiolillo each scored for North Reading but it proved to be one goal short in a 3-2 loss to Lynnfield. Jen Shields (9 saves) and Erin Brooks (5 saves) combined in net for the Hornets (1-2-1).

North Reading rallied back from a two-goal deficit to play Ipswich to a 2-2 tie. Lauren Pawlowski and Alessandra LeFort each scored a goal and Brittni Coppola and Mary Batalis each chipped in with an assist for the Hornets.