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Led by superb serving from junior Elisandra Valentin (10 service points and 4 aces), Lawrence broke open a 1-1 tie and ran away for a 3-1 victory over Malden.

MALDEN — When you’re on a losing streak like Haverhill, you can’t make things easier for your opponent.

But that’s what the Hillies did yesterday afternoon in the season opener.

Freshman Ryan Barrows reversed any early loss to the same foe from Malden with a convincing, 6-4, 6-2 win at third singles, helping North Reading complete the 5-0 boys tennis whitewash.

Freshman Ryan Barrows reversed any early loss to the same foe from Malden with a convincing, 6-4, 6-2 win at third singles, helping North Reading complete the 5-0 boys tennis whitewash.

Karissa Forzese hit a three-run homer over left field fence to put the run-rule into affect and give Central Catholic the 17-2 victory over Malden. The blast was Forzese's first of her career. 

Freshman attacker Jeremy Buckley wasted little time getting onto the varsity scoreboard, netting two quality goals in North Reading's season-opening 6-1 victory over Malden. Chris DiPietro also scored a pair in a game played under monsoon conditions at the Hornets' new artificial turf field.

MALDEN — Very little provides more comfort to an inexperienced offense than an opportunistic defense. And the youngsters responsible for Methuen's offense are plenty grateful.

HAVERHILL — Cold, soggy weather and a slew of young starters wreaked havoc on the Haverhill, which fell to Malden 33-12.

The Hillies, which graduated over half of their starters from last season including quarterback Isiah Ocasio and running backs Danny Triplett and Noel Figuero, managed only 119 yards of total offense and turned the ball over three times.

With the doubles tandem of Kevin Brosnan and Patrick Rubin playing their best match of the season, North Reading rolled to a 5-0 non-league victory over Malden. Brosnan and Rubin won, 6-2, 6-3 in second doubles for the Hornets (12-3), complementing Jason Pacino, who prevailed at first singles to remain unbeaten in dual meets (14-0) while not losing a set.

Kara LeFort — the only non-senior in the North Reading lineup, battled for a three-set victory as part of a 4-1 non-league victory over Malden. The sophomore rebounded from an opening set loss at second singles to tie things up, 6-0, only to face a tiebreaker in the deciding set. LeFort dominated the tiebreaker, 7-2, to take the triumph.