RallyNorth.net

WELLESLEY — North Andover senior Caroline Barclay wiped away a few tears and smiled as she reflected on the season.

“We won’t be Scarlet Knights anymore,” said Barclay. “But it doesn’t end here. I’ll still be playing plenty of lacrosse. I’m excited.”

WELLESLEY ­— The North Andover girls lacrosse team lost in the Division 2 state championship game to Norwell last night 15-6 in front of about 1,000 fans at Babson College.

Norwell’s quad-captain Kate MacDonald’s six points (3 goals, 3 assists) and sophomore Molly Cox’s hat trick in the first half were too much to overcome. The Knights went into the half trailing 8-1.

NORTH ANDOVER — After watching her coach get doused with celebratory Gatorade, North Andover’s Kate Kleinendorst took a moment to look out onto the empty Walsh Stadium field.

“Picture-perfect,” she said with a smile. “I honestly couldn’t have dreamed this. This is unbelievable, but we did it.”

Jenna Armstrong lifted North Andover past vaunted Winchester, 9-8, with a goal with 30 seconds left in their Division 2 North quarterfinal matchup. Armstrong scored four goals and Jenn Pino added three while Erika Zahoruiko stymied Winchester's gifted scorer Lauren Sullivan, holding her to one goal. She was averaging 4.4 goals a game. The defending state champion Sachems had reached the state finals four years in a row but the No. 5 Knights were too much for No. 4 Winchester. North Andover avenged an 11-9 loss to the Sachems in last year's North semifinals.

Steph Taylor turned aside an impressive 19 shots but it wasn't enough as North Andover fell to Masconomet in overtime, 15-14. Katie Kleinendorst led the way offensively with a hat trick and three assists.

Jenn Pino's fourth goal was her biggest as she scored with 1:09 to play to lift North Andover (15-3) to a huge 8-7 win over a tough Reading squad. Katie Kleiendorft had a goal and three assists and goalie Stephanie Taylor made 18 saves.

Both North Andover and Masco entered yesterday's action at 9-0 in the conference, but it was the Knights that remained undefeated with a huge 22-11 win. Jenn Pino was the star of the game racking up a career-high nine goals. Bri Connolly matched her point production (four goals, five assists), and Katie Kleinendorst chipped in five (three goals, two assists). Standout netminder Steph Taylor was all over the place as she turned aside 18 shots. The Knights defense, led by Kelly O'Connor and Amanda Wescott, was superb throughout.

Steph Taylor had a career-high 21 saves as North Andover crushed Georgetown, 12-3. Bri Connolly had a hat trick and Caroline Barclay (two goals, two assists) matched her point production. Erika Zahoruiko was a star on defense, holding Royals leading scorer Shannon Hartford to just one assist.

Michelle Reilly (2 goals), Kelly Burke (free position goal), Shannon Hartford (assist), and Meghan Makiver (assist) all produced for the Royals. April Surette made 12 saves.

Erika Zahoruiko played great defense but the North Andover girls lacrosse team fell to Lincoln-Sudbury 16-4.