RallyNorth.net

North Andover placed fifth in the Girls All State Gymnastics meet. The Scarlet Knights were led by Michelle Hall, who finished eighth overall with a 35.975 and Meghan Buttress rounded out the top-10 with a 35.425

NORTH ANDOVER — Nikki Karalis missed the easy shots but knocked down the difficult ones against Gloucester in the Division 2 North first round yesterday.

The North Andover senior swished two 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. Her second 3 gave her her team the lead for good with 2 minutes, 53 seconds left in the game.

GLOUCESTER — Following the game, Andover coach John Rex shrugged and summed up his team’s performance.

“We need to tackle,” he said. “We need to get back to tackling.”

GLOUCESTER - With each dazzling inning Yunior Vasquez assuaged the pain of a dreadful Lawrence High start to yesterday's Division 1 North quarterfinal.

He could never quite erase the root of that anguish.

Cassandra Davis was 4 for 5 with two doubles for the Clippers (12-4). Lindsey Tomasz was 2 for 4 with a home run. Taylor Summitt was 4 for 4 with three runs scored. Shannon Brunault went 2 for 3. Pitcher Beth Castantini was 2 for 4 and earned the complete-game, one-hit victory. Rachel Notargiacomo was 2 for 5.

Jen Rock tallied three goals and two assists for Triton (10-5). Jill Gallagher (3 goals, 1 assist), Julie Parker (2 goals), Mac Scanlon (2 goals), Nicole Lebel (2 goals), Erin Curley (1 goal), Kaitlin Muller (3 assists), and Olivia Gallivan (2 assists) keyed the offense. Kristin Roberts (19 saves) earned the victory in goal.

 After a difficult start to the season that included games against Masconomet and North Andover, Triton got a good confidence booster clobbering Gloucester, 16-5.

Sara Nardone had two goals and three assists, Erin Curley had two goals, Natalie Sullivan had one goal, Jen Rock had a goal and an assist, Emma Peditto had three goals, Kaitly Muller had a goal and an assist, Nicole LaBel had two goals, Jill Gallagher had a goal and an assist, Olivia Gallivan and had a goal for the Vikings. Elizabeth Benoit and Kristen Roberts each held down the fort in net with three saves.

Shannon Hartford tallied three goals and three assists for Georgetown (3-1). Michelle Reilly added three goals and an assist. Meghan Makiver also scored three goals. Kelly Burke and Kristin Pingree added two goals each. First-year starters Lauren Hall and Rachel Sherman netted their first varsity goals. April Surrette made 10 saves. Emma Cannon and Pauline Reilly keyed the defense.

The Clippers' victory over Gloucester — a state tournament team last season — was called after five innings. Beth Castantini pitched a three-hit shutout. She struck out four batters and walked one. Taylor Summit was 3 for 3 with three RBIs. Lindsey Tomasz was 2 for 4 with a home run, triple and two RBIs. Rachel Webster went 2 for 4, logging a triple, double and five RBIs. Rachel Notargiacomo went 2 for 4 with two runs. Tricia Grasso was 1 for 3 with three runs and an RBI. Ashley Karelis was 1 for 3 with an RBI. Cassandra Davis went 1 for 4 with two runs and an RBI.

 Guard Bill Medvitz scored a game-high 27 points, but it wasn't nearly enough as Amesbury fell in a non-conference game to Gloucester. Jared Flannigan added seven points and four rebounds, while Steve Serwon grabbed 13 rebounds.