NEWBURYPORT – A double-overtime upset scare in the Div. 2 first round gave the ninth-seeded Reading field hockey team a bit of a wakeup call.

Four days later, the Rockets (12-5-3) answered it in the second round, powering through the high intensity of a 3-2 win over No. 8 Newburyport Wednesday night in a matchup between two of Div. 2’s strongest sleepers.

Reading scored three straight times in response to an early deficit, while the defense produced a revolving door of signature defensive plays to stave off a fiery Clippers (15-4-1) rally in the fourth quarter.

Seniors Kendall Graves (goal, assist) and Sarah Hamilton (nine saves) were right in the middle of the win, though it took everyone to advance to the program’s fifth straight state quarterfinal appearance.

Reading will play No. 1

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