Despite two goals from Anna Fucillo ’15, Andover Girls Hockey fell 5-3 to Westminster on Wednesday. The team suffered another loss to Milton Academy earlier in the week.
Both Milton and Andover came out strong defensively last Saturday. Neither team was able to capitalize on its scoring chances and the period ended in a 0-0 draw.
Milton upped its game in the second period and scored two goals to take a comfortable lead going into the third period.
Milton continued its offensive push in the third, by scoring another goal and putting the lead out Andover’s reach. Andover failed to score on several offensive chances and the game ended 3-0. The loss marked Andover’s third shutout in the last four games.
Andover finally found its scoring touch against Westminster the following Wednesday and put three goals on the board.
However, Andover’s defense could not contain Westminster’s star player, who scored four out of her team’s five goals.
Westminster struck first, scoring early in the first period to take a one goal lead. Both teams failed to find the back of the net for the remainder of the period, and the period ended 1-0.
Injuries plagued Andover, and, in the second period, the team felt the effects of having just 11 skaters. Westminster was able to take advantage of Andover’s small lineup and managed to score four goals in the period. Andover trailed 5-0 going into the third period.
Despite facing a huge deficit, Andover continued to fight and compete and showed great determination. In the early stages of the period, Fucillo scored on what looked like a broken play.
“She skated down the ice with the puck, and at about the top of the circles she tripped and just barely managed to get the shot off,” said Hannah Sorkin ’14.
Even without much power behind the shot, the puck managed to sneak through the Westminster goalie’s five-hole.
Maintaining its momentum, Andover struck again midway through the third period. Nikoletta Toffoloni ’15 took a shot from the point, and the puck found its way into the back of the net after deflecting off of a Westminster players stick.
Not much later, Andover scored yet again. Fucillo put herself in a good scoring position and sniped the puck from the hash marks, cutting the lead to 5-3.
Unfortunately, Andover could not manage to score after that, and the game ended in a 5-3 loss.
“All in all, we played our hearts out and played to the end, and that’s all that matters,” said Amy Morin ’14.
Despite the loss, the game against Westminster demonstrated improvement, as Andover broke its no-scoring streak.
“We have been breaking the puck out of the zone much better lately, and we are creating more opportunities in the offensive zone because we are moving the puck around and getting some shots on net,” said Sorkin.
The team looks to end its season on a high note tomorrow against Exeter at home.
