Andover Ultimate capped off its season with a fourth-place finish at the NEPSUL tournament and a Spirit of the Game award.
After losing seven Seniors to graduation last year, the team struggled to regain its footing this spring. Although the absence of MASHUL and Co-Captain All-Star Piper Curtis ’13 was heavily felt, Co-Captains Alec Tolentino ’14 and Rem Remmel ’14 preserved the integrity of the game, leading the team to another Spirit of the Game award at NEPSUL.
In his second year as Captain, Tolentino set the pace for Andover with his skill and unmatched strength. With Remmel injured, Andover relied increasingly on Seniors Graeme Henderson ’14, Armaan Singh ’14 and Paul Tulungen ’14 to provide valuable leadership and put up points, while also giving a new crop of players to show their worth.
“We’ve really come together as a team over the past few games. We’ve established an identity on both offense and defense. We play tough man defense ,and we are always looking for deep shots and to be aggressive on offense,” said Tolentino.
Remmel added, “In my absence Tolentino did a laudable job leading our team on the field. He always plays with extreme intensity and leads his team with the same ethos. It is unfortunate that we could not play together in our last games as members of Blue Steel. After all, we have been on the team together since we were wee Freshmen.”
“But, if all goes well, we will be playing together in college. I am proud to call him my Co-Captain, my friend and my future roommate,” Remmel continued.
Many of the games were either blowout wins or crushing losses; only two games were won by three or less points. In many respects, the season was like a roller-coaster ride. Numerous injuries — most particularly Remmel’s — crippled the team and left little consistency.
Impressive games such as a 15-2 win over Somerset High School on May 13 would be cancelled out by showings such as 13-1 loss to Chase Collegiate School on May 17.
Despite hardships, the team bonded over the season and never lost its winning mentality.
“I was very proud of my team’s perseverance this season. We suffered more injuries this year than in the past three years,” said Remmel, who provided leadership and team morale from the sideline in light of multiple injuries.
“It can never help to have one Captain on the sideline, but my injuries gave younger players the chance to get experience playing in high pressure situations. I like to think I also played an instrumental role on the sideline as the ‘eighth player,’” he added.
“We play against some tough teams and often found ourselves behind on the scoreboard, but that didn’t stop us from playing our game, and playing it right. I’m proud of our team,” said Jack McGovern ’15 in an email to _The Phillipian_.
“We are at our best when we are having fun and just enjoying playing as a team. I love Blue Steel,” said Tolentino.
Andover will look to get back to .500 next year, but must replace the absences of five graduating Seniors to do so. With a crop of young players, look for Andover Ultimate to turn it around in 2015.
