Carolyn Pollard ’07 scored five goals and excelled at her center position against Groton last Saturday, supporting the Girls Lacrosse team’s 11-6 victory. Alyse Kennedy ’06 was also crucial for the Blue in staving off a furious Groton comeback effort. A 14-4 blowout win on Wednesday over Northfield Mount Hermon followed the important win over Groton. The Big Blue started the game against Groton red-hot. Andover’s offense systematically broke Groton’s defense with a series of cuts around the eight-meter and strong drives to the net to quickly take a commanding lead. On defense, Caroline Moore ’07, Karen Schoenherr ’07, and Jevan Jammal ‘06 held strong and steady, slowing down the ball as it approached their net. Once settled, Andover however allowed too many shots on net; Groton’s attackers were left open in front of the net when Andover failed to slide after committing to double teams. Thankfully, star goalie and Captain Julie Wadland ’06 stood in net like a brick wall, accumulating thirteen saves overall and four interceptions. With Groton answering Andover’s initial onslaught with only one goal, the first half ended 4-1 Andover. The second half was much more high-scoring than the first and Groton almost took control of the game. However, Andover staved off the Groton comeback effort and pulled away late for the win. After nine scoreless minutes in the second half, Andover struck first. After a quick exchange of goals, Andover led 6-2. Midfielders Kit Harris ’07 and Captain Tess Scott ’06 each contributed to attack and defense with rapid transitions and skill on both sides. In the next three minutes, Groton scored three goals, catching the defense on its heels. In an experimental decision to not call a time-out, Coach Kate Dolan watched tensely to see how the players would react. Her players made her look like a genius. Forty seconds after Groton closed the deficit to 6-5, Kennedy raced the ball up-field from the circle with her unmatched speed and fired a shot past Groton’s goalie. Sparked by Kennedy’s intensity, Andover’s attack focused on playing collectively and moving without the ball. When asked exactly what the offense did differently late in the game, Coach Dolan stated simply, “The offense put the ball in the net with their shots.” Andover did not shoot more in the second half than in the first, but had better shot selection and better accuracy. Within one minute and fifteen seconds, Andover scored three goals created by Pollard’s great draw control and tenacity, and Pollard capitalized on her free position to score one of those three. Sarah Beattie ’07 scored once and had an assist and Kennedy had racked up three goals and an assist before the game ended in a comfortable 11-6 win. On Wednesday, the Big Blue dominated Northfield Mount Hermon. Though Andover allowed an uncharacteristic amount of interceptions by NMH, the girls stayed aggressive, ending the game with a ten-point lead. Kate Foley ’08 tenaciously defended the goal in the second half with several saves and a particularly well-placed clear to defender Schoenherr. Meanwhile, Captain Wadland took to the field playing low attack. Captain Wadland assisted on goals by Kennedy and Kayla Lawson ’07. Lawson’s goal came on a gorgeous left-handed shot. The 14-4 triumph brings the Girls Lacrosse team’s record to 7-0. Andover matches up against Taft in Connecticut this Saturday at 3:30, and hosts Governor Dummer Academy at 3:00 Wednesday on Siberia.
