Sports

Comeback Victory Carries Win Streak

Netting three goals and assisting another, Eliza Quigley ’15 led Andover Field Hockey to a 4-2 victory in the third annual “Playing for Pink” game between Andover and Middlesex School on Wednesday. With the exception of a lull in the middle of the game, Andover dominated Middlesex from start to finish. “It felt great to be such an impact in Wednesdays game especially such we were playing for such an amazing cause,” said Quigley. “It was an all around great team win.” Andover struck first, when Kristin Mendez ’13 assisted Quigley in scoring her first of three goals. After the goal, Andover’s defense slackened and allowed Middlesex to score two consecutive goals. Roughly 10 minutes into the second half, Andover regained momentum when Quigley scored twice in quick succession. Quigley then went on to cross a ball into the circle for Kristen Overly ’15 to sweep straight past the Middlesex goalie from the stroke mark. “The team has definitely learned ways to work off one another in a more effective way and create great passes. We are now on a winning streak and working really hard to keep it that way,” said Overly. The win aside, Andover approached Wednesday’s “Playing for Pink” game knowing that it was for a cause bigger than any athletic contest. In honor of Runway for Recovery, a charity that raises funds for organizations that provide support for those who have family members suffering from breast cancer. Olivia Achtmeyer, a former coach of both Andover and Middlesex Field Hockey, created and runs the foundation. For the past three years Andover and Middlesex have donned pink uniforms during a game in October to raise awareness for breast cancer. Andover took down St. Paul’s 4-1 in an earlier game on Saturday. The team demonstrated strength and consistency across the board, as a different player scored each of the four goals. Andover scored seven minutes into the first half and scored again 10 minutes later to take an early 2-0 lead. Just 45 seconds into the second half, Andover scored once again. Although St. Paul’s took advantage of a scoring opportunity later on in the game, Andover scored for a last time to cement the 4-1 win. “We played together by using the whole field all the way to the sidelines, passing hard and to space,” said Ashlyn Aiello ’14. “Forwards executed corners quickly and neatly, which is quite an improvement from previous games.” She added, “There was the willpower to give everything and see what happens. It was not just the best players or the Seniors carrying the team—everyone chipped in, carried each other and made each other stronger.” Andover is now 3-3-2 and hopes to continue winning as it enters the second half of the regular season. “At this point, the skill isn’t what makes us win or lose; it’s our effort to do our best for each other and with each other,” said Aiello. Andover played at Milton on Thursday and will face off against Northfield Mount Hermon on Saturday.