After recovering from a mishandled corner, Co-Captain Amy Morin ’14 fired a shot while Anna Fucillo ’15 perfectly placed her stick in front of it, tipping it into the Westminster goal.
This proved to be Andover’s only goal of the game, as the team suffered a season-ending 4-1 quarter finals loss at the hands of sixth-seeded Westminster after capturing the fifth seed in the NEPSAC field hockey playoffs.
Earlier in the week, Andover lost to its historic rival, Phillips Exeter Academy, 4-3.
Exeter dominated the beginning of the game, taking an early 1-0 lead on a shot from 40 yards out.
Andover was not deterred, however, as Olivia Cabral ’14 buried a rebound out in front of the Exeter net after an Andover corner, tieing the game 1-1 with ten minutes left in the first half.
“It was tough to go down 1-0 early, but we all knew if we went down 2-0 it would be hard to come back from in such a big rivalry game. We needed that next goal to get some momentum back. The ball came across the cage and I was right there to tip it in past the goalie,” said Cabral.
Andover continued its persistent offense and capitalized on another opportunity, as Eva Toffoloni ’15 gave Andover a 2-1 lead with her goal.
“I found an opportunity in front of the net and shot it in. That goal put us in the lead, but we struggled to keep the momentum on our side as Exeter quickly responded with a goal,” said Eva Toffoloni ’15.
Exeter took advantage of a corner with five minutes left in the first half to net its second goal. The game went into the half tied at 2-2 with Exeter outshooting Andover 11-7.
After the half, it did not take long for Andover to find its rhythm. Fucillo was able to find the back of the net, making it 3-2 and providing Andover with some much needed momentum.
Exeter shut down this momentum, however, scoring minutes later to tie the game at 3-3.
For the next five minutes, Andover’s relentless offense worked the Exeter goalkeeper, but could not put the ball into the net.
On Exeter’s next fast break, it was able to convert and take a 4-3 lead that proved to be the game-winner. It was Andover’s third loss of the season.
“It was Exeter’s last game of the season because they didn’t make the playoffs, so they really came out guns blazing. They wanted it a little more and they played extremely hard for their Seniors, knowing it was their last game,” said Eliza Quigley ’15.
Andover tried to use the frustration from the loss to Exeter to invigorate the team against a strong Westminster team with its season on the line, but the task proved to be too difficult.
Five minutes into the game, Westminstewwr was able to convert on a stroke to take an early 1-0 lead.
Towards the end of the half, Westminster scored again on a loose rebound out front, taking a 2-0 lead. The game remained close heading into the half.
Andover showed life in the second half, led by Fucillo’s goal.
“Amy Morin came down on the wing and took a nice hard shot to the net that I was able to deflect to the right of the net past the goalie,” said Fucillo.
Westminster, however, responded immediately with another rebound goal, putting it up 3-1 with just over 12 minutes to play, a deficit that Andover could not overcome.
Westminster’s last goal came with 49 seconds left, as the team buried the ball on a breakaway to seal the victory.
Despite the 4-1 loss, Andover was able to outshoot Westminster 10-9.
“We played with everything we had. They were a really fast and good team and we gave it all we had. Unfortunately, sometimes it falls one way and sometimes it falls the other, and it didn’t fall our way today,” said Morin.
Andover finished its season with an 11-4-1 record.
“It was a great season. We were a tight group of girls and we gave everything we had out on the field. We grew together and created many memories that will last beyond Andover,” said Eva Toffoloni.
