Led by Captain Andrew Cox ’08, who tallied four goals over three games, Andover completed another week undefeated, which included a huge win over Belmont Hill. With the three-game winning streak, Andover improved its record to 13-7 for the season. On Friday, Bobby Farnham ’08 and Cox led the Andover offense with two goals each, as Andover defeated a talented Belmont Hill team 6-3. On the road against one of the top teams in New England, Andover came out strong and scored a quick goal. Just 2:57 into the first period, Cox scored his first goal to give Andover an early 1-0 lead. Belmont Hill would come back with a goal of its own four minutes later. However, at the 13:01 mark Andover retook the lead. J.J. McGregor ’08 scored to give Andover a 2-1 lead heading into the first intermission. The goal was assisted by Cox and Farnham. Early in the second period, Belmont Hill tied the game at 2-2. However, Andover came back with another goal, as Cox scored to give Andover a 3-2 lead at 4:13 in the second period. The goal was assisted by McGregor and Garnet Hathaway ’10. Andover extended its lead two minutes later, as Farnham scored his first, assisted by Luke Duprey ’10 and Tucker Mullin ’08. Belmont Hill was able to cut the Andover lead to one just 30 seconds later, but the Andover defense held for the rest of the period, and the game headed into intermission with Andover leading 4-3. Andover closed out the game in the third period with two goals. The first came from Farnham, his second of the game, assisted by Cox and McGregor at 4:08 in the third period. Bennett Carroccio ’10 put the game out of reach with a goal at the middle point of the period, assisted by Brian Safstrom ’10 and Trevor Braun ’10. Andover’s defense held the sizeable lead, giving Andover a 6-3 win. Goalie Glenn Stowell ’09 made 27 saves in the victory. On Monday, Cox continued his strong play with two goals and one assist, as Andover defeated BB&N 5-4. Andover came out skating hard after the opening whistle, scoring two early goals to give the team an early 2-0 lead. The first came from McGregor at the 4:03 mark, assisted by Cox. Farnham scored at the 4:50 mark, assisted by Steve Bury ’08 and Mullin. BB&N would add a goal before the end of the period, but Andover would head into intermission with a 2-1 lead. After a scoreless second period, BB&N tied the game at 2-2 just 21 seconds into the third period. However, Andover would respond as Cox scored at the 4:11 mark, assisted by McGregor and Farnham. Four minutes later, BB&N bounced back and once again tied the game. Mullin scored to a second time to give Andover a 4-3 lead. The goal was assisted by Farnham. However, just a minute later BB&N again tied the game at 4-4. After trading goals for the entire period, Andover finally finished off BB&N at the 13:36 with a Cox goal, assisted by McGregor and Hathaway as Andover would go on to win 5-4. Stowell made 23 saves in the win, as Andover continued its impressive play. On Wednesday, Mullin scored two goals, as Andover won its third straight game, defeating Kimball Union Academy, 4-2. Andover’s offense had a very strong game, scoring three goals in the first period. Leading the Andover offense was Mullin with two goals. Andover also received a great offensive effort from some lower line players. Nick Craven ’09 scored his first goal of the season, and Safstrom also added his first goal of the season. With the complete team effort, Andover rolled to a 4-2 victory. “Back at Flood Marr we were a little shaky, but now we are a solid team and big contenders heading into the playoffs,” said Bennett Carroccio ’10. After struggling in the early parts of the season with several one-goal losses, Andover seems to have hit its stride of late. Winning eight of its final nine games has certainly put Andover back ont he playoff map. Not only is Andover winning, it is finally winning close games. Andover is winning these one-goal games. If the team can keep up its knack to pull out games, they will definity be a force to be reckoned with not only for the remainder of the season, but in the playoffs. Although currently right on the bubble of the playoff picture, Andover’s play of late certainly has other teams looking in their rear-view mirrors. Hoping to continue its winning streak, Andover will host 8-7-4 Governor’s at 6:30 on Friday.
