RallyNorth.net

Andover loses on penalty strokes

Monday, November, 17 By Dave Dyer

NORTH ANDOVER — If only the Andover field hockey team could have kept playing in overtime.

Set back on their heels early on against No. 1 seed powerhouse Acton-Boxboro in the Division 1 North finals, the Warriors — after the scoreless regulation — gradually gained momentum and took control of the game through two overtimes.

But the rules call for penalty strokes after two OTs and A-B was one better, 4-3, to claim its second straight North crown.

A-B features two seniors committed on scholarship to the University of Michigan, Maggie Bettez and Leah Cardarelli, its goalie is headed to St. Anselm and a junior is already committed to Northeastern.

With such a superstar lineup, it would seem that the Colonials would have the edge when it was 7-on-7 in OT. But that was not the case.

Held to one penalty corner in regulation, the Warriors had two in OT and several opportunities to score.

“I think we played better (in overtime) because we play more as a team,” said Andover coach Maureen Noone. “We had tons of opportunities, but we just couldn’t convert.

“I think part of it was inexperience. We have a lot of kids not used to this, but they learned from it and it’s going to make them better.”

It was completely different at the start of the game. A-B kept the ball down in Andover’s zone for the entire first 12 minutes before the Warriors could even get the ball over midfield. But gradually, the opportunities increased.

“I think we came out shell shocked,” said Noone. “Once we figured it out, we were OK.”

What also helped was that A-B was whistled for penalties three times that sent players to the sideline and gave Andover a one-player advantage.

Although the Warriors didn’t have many scoring opportunities in regulation, high scorer Tori Roche had one midway through the second half but her shot went over the goal. She also had her chances in overtime.

In the penalty strokes, Caroline Curtain, Jillian Hughes and Katherine Devaney all scored for the Warriors. All five players selected as well as Roche and sophomore Megan Hartnett will be back next year.

“We have a ton of key players back and this experience should help us,” said Noone. “Our kids played their hearts out today so there are no complaints.”

Don’t be surprised if the two teams meet again in sectional action next year as well since they have quite a rivalry, usually meeting in the North finals.

A-B won state titles in 2007, 2009 and 2012 while Andover won the crown in 2010 and 2011.

Acton-Boxboro 1, Andover 0

Division 1 North Final

Saves: A — Megan Hartnett 8; A-B — Sarah Bentley 2

Acton-Boxborough (21-0-1): 0 0 0 — 1

Andover (19-2-1): 0 0 0 — 0