Amanda Brisco ’10 struck three times, propelling Andover to a final score of 4-1 against Governor’s Academy on Tuesday. Last Friday, Andover traveled to play St. Paul’s under the lights. Having tied four games leading up to the St. Paul’s match, Andover looked to break this streak. However, the girls walked off the field with the score tied at 0-0 after the final whistle. Despite having possession of the ball throughout the game, Andover failed to finish the offensive attacks led by Meaghan Doherty ’10 and Courtney Macdonald ’11. Macdonald, who moved from the defense to outside midfielder position for this game, deftly handled the ball and often managed to bring it up field into St. Paul’s territory. Following the disappointing tie, Andover geared up to face Governor’s Academy. In her debut this season, Goalkeeper Kim Kohn ’10 played a solid game, filling the spot of the injured Alex Farrell ’10. Governor’s burst out of the gate strong, scoring a goal in the early minutes of the first half. However, Andover’s defense, comprised of Macdonald, Anna Fang ’10, Katherine Sherrill ’10, and Piper Curtis ’13, fended off Governor’s attack for the remainder of the game. Andover’s offense found gaps and weaknesses in the Governor’s defense and exploited them. Late in the first half, Brisco evened the score with a header into to the back of the net. Brico’s goal swung the momentum in Andover’s favor, and within minutes, she struck again, outrunning the Governor’s keeper and placing the ball in the back of the net. Thanks to Brisco’s two goals, Andover headed into the half with a 2-1 lead. Midway through a tough second half, Ambika Krishnamachar ’11 netted another goal, Andover’s third, by scoring off of a throw-in from Kira Wyckoff ’11. Later in the half, Brisco put her foot on the ball amidst the chaos in the goal box, scoring her third goal of the day, and sealing the Andover victory, 4-1. The win over Governor’s proved the strength of the Andover offense. “I really liked how everyone was fired up to win, and we pulled together to make it happen,” said Krishnamachar. “We have the players, skills, and team to be top in the league. All we have to do is be consistent and play our best,” she continued. This Friday Andover will play defending league champion Noble and Greenough School. Andover fell to Nobles in the semifinals last season and hopes to avenge that loss. On Saturday, Andover will face Northfield Mount Hermon. Andover decisively defeated NMH last season, and will look to do the same this year.
