Andover Boys Soccer hopes to ride the wave of momentum from its 11-game unbeaten streak to close out the 2002 season into 2003. The boys took home the Dunbar Cup for the eighth time in the past 12 years. However, what should motivate this solid team even more than their streak is the factor of respect. The boys were shutout of postseason play, despite their remarkable finish. This year’s captains, Carey Hynes ’04 and David Sheldon ’04, are excellent players and effective leaders. Sheldon has been a factor on the field since his freshman season three years ago and he should shine at the outside midfield position and anchor the team. Hynes broke his foot in the off-season and will not be able to play right away. His presence on the field will be sorely missed by the rest of the team for however long he is out of the lineup. Upper Brendan McManus ’05 will return for another year as the teams starting goalie. McManus, thrown into the fire in only his lower year, excelled under pressure and Coach Bill Scott needs a similar performance in 2003. The Freshman Foursome of Michael Spiak ’06, Pumi Maqubela ’06, Justin Wu ’06, and TJ Thompson ’06 are all a year older and look to be even more dominant in their second year. One year senior Callum Thomas, hailing from Aberdeen Scotland, and PG Chris Walters, of Winslow, Maine, are the two new midfield recruits for the 2003 season and will add to an already formidable PA midfield. Andover’s strength at the midfield position promises to put up many goals, and a now veteran string of sophomore starters will only add to Andover’s offensive barrage. The only question mark for the 2003 season will be the center midfield position (while Hynes is out of commission). As midfielder Nathan Scott ’05 put it, “Someone out of character is going to have to step it up and learn the center back position.”
