Despite two goals from talented Junior Tebs Maqubela, the Boys Junior Varsity Soccer team could not hold off the relentless Cluster All-Star team as the two squads battled to a fierce 3-3 tie. After a brilliant 13-0 record, the Boys JV soccer team took its dominating season to the test when the boys played a very tough Cluster All-Star team. This year’s Junior Varsity team proved to be one of Andover’s finest JV squads the program has produced in some time. After rolling through the regular season somewhat effortlessly, the young JV team was confident prior to its match-up against the Cluster All-Star team. The Cluster All-Star team was certainly determined to “make the over-confident JV team’s record become 13-0-1,” said Cluster striker Ben Schley ’08. The game started off with Brian Woonton ’11 finishing a beautiful goal from a corner kick, as the promising Junior calmly put the ball in the back of the net. However, the All-Stars responded with a goal of its own as Dave Holliday ’08 cleverly set Schley up in the box, where the striker confidently tucked the ball into the upper corner. JV striker Maqubela responded with a goal, as yet another talented Junior once again proved how dangerous he can be. Maqubela almost always converts on every scoring opportunity given to him. The Cluster All-Stars responded by scoring two unanswered goals past goalie Phil Oasis ’09. Maqubela’s goal scoring touch saved the JV team from complete disaster as he corralled a ball at the top of the 18 and deceptively fired his second goal of the day into the back of the net, knotting the score at three. Both teams battled for the remainder of the game, with the impressive JV team playing with the majority of the possession. The most controversial point of the game came with just moments left on the clock when it appeared a trio of freshmen, Woonton, Peter Lee-Kramer and Maqubela, were on a clear scoring chance before Holliday called the game, ending the match in a 3-3 tie. A frustrated Lee-Kramer said, “Holliday stole our win, and he knows it,” he said. Midfielder Andrew Woonton ’11 of the JV team was disappointed in the result, and especially the team’s effort. Wooton said, “We played flat the entire game, and certainly took the game too lightly.” Twin brother Brian agreed with his brother’s statement but also said that his side had the better of scoring chances and possession. Brian said “we definitely deserved a better result.” Holliday, a central midfielder for the Cluster All-Stars, had three assists in the upset tie against the team he spent three years on, and captained last year. “As an ex-three-year JV player, I’d have to say their ball movement was pretty impressive; definitely the best JV team I’ve seen since I’ve been here,” said Holliday. Although frustrating at times, this was certainly a very enjoyable match for both squads as friendly competition between both sides proved for a thrilling 3-3 tie. This match featured the quality of Andover’s JV soccer program, as former JV players led the Cluster All-Star team, while the current JV team is blossoming with young talent who all provide a bright future for Andover’s Varsity Soccer program.
