Classic heartbreaker

In a thriller, the North Andover High School girls lacrosse team (15-4 overall) lost to host Masconomet, 13-12 in triple overtime. The Scarlet Knights trailed, 5-3 at the half, and it was tied at 11 at the end of regulation.

"It was a well-fought game," said coach Meredith Prior. "It was a tough game to lose." Leah Chittick, Julia Morandi and Courtney Karelas all recorded hat tricks against the Chieftains. Colleen Chittick added two goals. Michelle Poirier had the final tally. Goalie, Lauren Hiller made 11 saves.

With Masco also in Division 1 North, there is a good chance these two teams could meet again in the postseason next month.

On May 18, the Knights defeated host Central Catholic, 15-7 to improve to 11-1 in the Merrimack Valley Conference.

"We [substituted] a lot of our players in that game," pointed out Prior, whose squad led, 9-5 at halftime.

Leah Chittick led the team in goals with five. Abbie Karalis added four. Poirier scored three, and Casey Conwell one. Karelas led the team in total offense with four assists and two goals.

Hiller turned back 10 Raider shots to help her teammates complete the season sweep.

In another thriller, Karalis scored with two seconds left in the game to give the Knights a 9-8 win over visiting Andover May 15.

"It was our most exciting win of the year," said Prior. "We held them scoreless the final 16 minutes of the game."

North Andover trailed, 8-5 with 7:20 left, before staging the furious comeback.

Karalis accounted for three goals, as did Poirier, who had an assist on the game-winner. Leah Chittick had two goals; Karelas one.Hiller made 11 saves in net.

The Knights were able to complete the season sweep over the Golden Warriors, winning both games by identical 9-8 scores.

At Billerica May 13, the Knights suffered their first MVC loss, an 11-9 verdict to the Indians."That was a tough game," said Prior.

The Indians trailed at the break, 5-3.

Leah Chittick had three goals; Abby Karalis two; and Poirier, Karelis, Olivia Pino and Dana Swartz one each. Poirier led the team in assists with three. Hiller had six saves.

The MVC Large Division title will be on the line Tuesday when the Knights host Billerica in the final regular season game, starting at 4 p.m.