Sports

Four First Half Goals in Shutout

Andover Boys Soccer kept its undefeated season alive with a 4-0 domination of Tabor Academy on Saturday.

The win improves Andover’s record to 5-0-1.

Andover scored its first goal just a few minutes into the first half. Taylor Chin ’14 beat his defender and created enough separation to rifle off a shot. While Tabor’s goalkeeper aptly blocked Chin’s rocket of a shot, Dylan Mott ’15 was in perfect position to slot the rebound in the back of the net.

Minutes later, Andover was awarded a free-kick. Captain Jack McGeachie ’13 delivered a perfect cross to Graeme Henderson ’14 near the front post, and Henderson finished the play off with a beautiful header past the Tabor keeper, putting Andover up 2-0.

“We started the game off dominating possession and play,” said Nick DiStefano ’14, a starting center midfielder.

From that point on, Andover attacked Tabor’s defense relentlessly, and the Tabor players tired quickly.

Andover’s third goal came on a corner kick towards the middle of the first half. Mott launched the ball from the right side of the field, and Kene Adigwe ’14 was able to get his head on it. Adigwe turned his head towards the goal and redirected the ball past the keeper, creating a commanding 3-0 lead.

“By that point, we felt like we had a good handle on the game,” said Adigwe.

The final goal of the half, and the match, was also the result of a corner kick. Chin lined up to strike the ball and curled a beautiful shot into the net from the left corner. Chin caught the keeper off guard, and his efforts finalized the score at 4-0.

In the second half, Andover did not attack with the same vigor as it did in the first half but the team possessed the ball effortlessly, and Tabor only managed to pass the ball for small spells of two or three passes each.

Goalkeeper Zach Merchant ’13 performed admirably. He made multiple difficult saves and allowed no goals. His efforts were supplemented by Andover’s strong defense. Over the course of six games and one scrimmage this season, Andover has only allowed two goals.

“Our defense has been fantastic this season. So far, we have been able to rise up and contest every challenge we face. We really need to keep it up,” said Adigwe.

McGeachie added, “Our defense was solid [against Tabor], and our offense was able to get the ball moving quickly, opening up the Tabor defense.”

“DiStefano and Chin both had great games out on the wings, as did Henderson in the middle of the field. Our forwards also had great games, stretching out their defense and checking to the ball,” McGeachie continued.

Although the win against Tabor was a reassuring result, the team has bigger challenges ahead. Andover will take on Choate (4-2) in an away game this Saturday.