Led by a spectacular eleven-goal performance by Parker Washburn ’09, the Boys Varsity Water Polo team swept a Saturday doubleheader against Loomis Chaffee and St. John’s Prep. Andover’s 13-12 victory over Loomis and its resounding 18-8 win over St. John’s helped the team move within striking distance of a playoff spot. Curtis Hon ’10 quickly started the scoring for Andover, but Loomis responded in the minutes later to knot the score at one. Conor McAuliffe ’10 tallied his first goal of the season sixteen seconds later to put Andover back in the lead. The rest of the quarter passed by without a score, so Andover possessed a 2-1 lead after one frame. Loomis started the second quarter with strong play, scoring after twenty-one seconds to tie the game at 2. McAuliffe answered again for Andover, scoring his second goal of the game shortly thereafter. However, Loomis bounced back to secure a 4-3 lead. After an Andover goal by Washburn, a Loomis shot found the back of the net. Andover went into the halftime break down by a goal. Andrew Fraser ’10 scored the first goal of the second half to tie the game. The third quarter progressed with back and forth action and both teams traded goals. Captain Goalkeeper William Faulkner ’09 made several impressive blocks to stop Loomis from extending its lead in the third quarter. Going into the final quarter, Loomis held a 7-6 advantage. In the fourth quarter, the back and forth play continued, as Andover’s Hon, Asa Harrington ’09, and Washburn scored. Loomis answered all three goals with an offensive outburst of its own to secure a 10-9 with only several minutes remaining. McAuliffe finished his hat trick, scoring with only forty-three seconds left in the game to send it to overtime. In the first of a two-period overtime, Loomis opened up the scoring to take the lead, but Washburn netted a goal to tie the game. Loomis scored again, but this time Harrington tallied a goal with three seconds left to extend the game. In the second overtime period, Goalkeeper Dan Larson ’11 played great defense, shutting down several prime scoring chances from Loomis. As the final seconds wound down, Washburn delivered, scoring a goal on a great individual effort. Washburn’s game-winner was his sixth goal of the game and gave Andover a much-needed win. In the second game of a Saturday doubleheader, Andover played St. John’s Prep. With momentum after the 13-12 overtime win, Andover played well in the first quarter. Hon scored two goals, Washburn added three, and Fraser scored in front of the net on a good pass by Washburn. Captain Faulkner had a couple nice saves, and Andover led 6-3 at the end of the first period. Hon led Andover in the second period, tallying four goals on two great long passes down the pool by Captain Faulkner. McAuliffe played good defense and added a goal on a strong pass by Matthew Mahoney ’11. Washburn scored another goal, and Andover led St. John’s 12-5 at the half. Defending the deep end this quarter, usually a tough task, did not prove to be a challenge to Captain Faulkner, as he stymied the St. John’s offense, shutting them out. Washburn scored the only goal, and entering the final quarter Andover led 13-5. Lawrence Zhou ’09 played Goalkeeper in the final period, only allowing three goals by St. John’s. Varsity rookies Alex Smachlo ’11, Ben Morris ’11, and Austen Novis ’11 saw a good amount of playing time. Washburn had a steal and two goals, to give him seven for the game and eleven on the day. Andover easily defeated St. John’s Prep 18-8, improving the team’s record to 8-4. Andover will play N.M.H. in the upcoming weekend.
