Led by a core of five returning seniors, Andover field hockey plans to dominate the 2011 season and post-season tournament. Including these five seniors, the team will welcome nine returners and eight promising new additions.
Seniors include Catherine Anderson ’12, Lizzie Paul ’12, and co-captains Hannah Beinecke ’12, Greer McBeth ’12, and Brooke Van Valkenburg ’12. All three started last season, and together have a total of eighteen years of varsity experience.
“We’re taking on a wide range of new players with some solid athletic ability, and most of them are on the younger side so that’s a plus in terms of development,” said McBeth.
Newcomers include field players Kat Toffoloni ’15, Nikoletta Toffoloni ’15, Eva Toffoloni ’15, Hannah Sorkin ’14, Alec Kingston ’14, and goalkeepers Sara Merker ’15, Ashlyn Aiello ’14, and Corinne Rivard ’12.
The new players demonstrated their potential in Andover’s scrimmage against Tilton School on Wednesday with the Toffoloni sisters took the field as part of the starting lineup.
“Since we only have a few returners, we really relied on the newcomers in the scrimmage, and they stepped up to fill those gaps,” said Van Valkenburg.
Though the scrimmage primarily focused on testing players in new positions, Andover charged out with intensity, earning multiple offensive corners and keeping Tilton out of a scoring position.
The team lost momentum towards the end of the first half but came out into the second half reinvigorated. Midway through, Paul netted a shot from high in the circle to take a 1-0 lead. Tilton answered later for a final 1-1 tie.
“The scrimmage definitely showed some areas where we need improvement, but it was great to have all the new players there; some of the younger girls especially will bring a lot to the team, and I think it will end up being a great season,” said returning field player Emma Mehlmen ’14.
Looking ahead to the upcoming regular season, Andover plans to continue integrating the new players into the team’s arsenal. Passing drills, work on spacing and placement on the field and conditioning will be the focus of practice in the next few weeks.
“The progress of the team will depend on each individual’s ability to contribute to the group through communication and effort– unrelenting communication and effort,” said Coach Kate Dolan.
Andover will play its first game of the regular season against Thayer Academy this Saturday.
