Boys Soccer Fall Sports Sports

Defensive Struggles Show Early

A 4-1 loss to Nobles & Greenough in a scrimmage last Wednesday put a damper on the start of the season for Andover Boys Soccer.

The team’s only goal came off a rebound off a shot from Brandon Girard ’16, which Co-Captain Josh Murphy ’15 put away with ease. Throughout the game, Andover showed some weakness in its backline, something the team prided itself on last season.

Despite the loss, the team still hopes to find the formula to repeat last year’s undefeated regular season.

“I’ve been coaching high school soccer for 34 years, and it’s the third time I’ve had a team that’s been undefeated during the regular season. It just doesn’t happen,” said Bill Scott, the previous Head Coach who left the team on a high note after becoming Chair in Mathematics.

New Head Coach Will Orben has taken the reigns after coaching alongside Scott last season.

Looking to avenge its close 3-2 loss against Worcester Academy in the semifinals of New England Championships, the team has high hopes for the season.

“We want to win the title,” said Murphy.

Whereas last year’s team featured a nearly impenetrable back four in Murphy, Graeme Henderson ’14, Kene Adigwe ’14 and Andy Manos ’16, this year’s strengths can be found on offense. Dylan Mott ’15, who was last year’s leading scorer, looks to improve on his 18 goals from last season. With his blistering pace, Girard will add to the offensive threat, as evidenced by his role in Andover’s only goal against Nobles.

“The end game would be to win it all, because up front we are going to be the most threatening team in the prep school league,” said Girard.

Additionally, the team will transition to an offensive 4-3-3 after playing in a more standard 4-4-2 last season. The loss of eight Seniors, six of those starters, facilitated the change in formation.

“Hopefully we can have as good of a defensive shape and discipline as last year’s team, and we should be good,” said Murphy.

Post-Graduates Ben Reinesch ’15 and Culver Duquette ’15 will fill in holes in the defense at outside and center-back, respectively. Post-Graduate Calvon Greff ’15 and new Lower Ryan Fischer ’17 have joined the team to fill the goalie position.

“We’re going to have to rely on the younger students, which is going to change the whole team dynamic,” added returning player John Sandor ’17. Juniors Morgan Cutts ’18 and Bobby Dall ’18 will hope to find playing time at center-back and left midfield, respectively.

“We lost some terrific players in key positions, but we now have a great mixture of young talent and high quality returners. Our leadership is strong again this year,” wrote Orben.

Andover should get its season back on track with the season opener against the St. Paul’s at home on Friday.

“I expect this team to make steady progress and to play some excellent soccer,” Orben added.