RallyNorth.net

Another Andover-Chelmsford field hockey game, another battle.

The two MVC teams split their regular season matchups and battled evenly in Division 1 North first round action yesterday. It took a successful penalty corner with no time remaining in overtime for fourth-seed Chelmsford to prevail, 3-2.

North Andover's Kali Otis scored two goals, and Andover's Brianna Smith added two scores of her own as the Scarlet Knights played the Golden Warriors to a 2-2 tie in field hockey.

Jess Leone posted her first ever varsity goal in Andover's 3-3 tie with Beverly in field hockey. 

Weezie Gross and Meagan Keefe each had a goal and assist for the Golden Warriors. 

Andover's field hockey team put on all sorts of pressure on Central Catholic in a 5-0 victory. Meagan Keefe had two goals and an assist for the Warriors (12-2-1) and Brianna Smith had a goal and an assist. Goalie Nicole DiFilippo had 10 saves for Central (7-6-1) and defenders Molly Bryant and Caitlin Derrickson combined for five saves. Melissa Newton and Mikayla Panneton played strong all-around games for Andover.

Andover field hockey snapped its mini two-game skid, beating pesky Methuen 2-0. Morgan Manning and Meagan Keefe each scored a goal for the winners.

 With starting goalie Nicole Schena at the hospital due to a bad reaction to a virus, Andover manager Andrea Pennock stepped in and held unbeaten power Walpole scioreless in the first half before the Warriors dropped a 3-0 decision.

Andover's field hockey team, the two-time defending Div. 1 state champion, dropped its first Merrimack Valley Conference game in five years, 3-1 Chelmsford. The Warriors (9-1-1), who were playing their fourth game of the week and were without standout defender Abby Taylor, fell behind 2-0 and couldn't catch up despite outshooting the Lions (9-1) 9-3.

Emily Boyle made the most of a well-played penalty corner, beating the Andover goalie with 1:10 left to give North Andover field hockey an important 2-2 tie. Caroline Whelan had a dominating effort for North Andover (4-2-3), scoring the game's first goal, and Louisa Gross excelled at midfield for Andover (8-0-1).

Meagan Keefe continued her scintillating season with three goals and two assists as Andover remained perfect by rolling over Lowell 6-0.

In a scrum in front of the next, Brianna Smith moved the ball to Meagan Keefe for the goal wtith three minutes left that gave Andover field hockey a 1-0 victory over pesky Methuen. Goalie Brittany Getchell kept the Rangers in the game, making 15 saves.