Co-Captain Jeanine Moreau ’16 sent the ball rocketing over Brooks’s goalkeeper, just beneath the crossbar, to give Andover Girls Soccer its first goal and a fighting chance at tying the game on Wednesday. Moreau’s goal gave Andover the offensive spark it needed, prompting Sarah Humes ’16 to send the ball into the far post to lock the score at 2-2.
“If anyone would have scored, I believe that the team would have bound together and picked it up. I am really proud of [the team] for feeding off of each other’s energy and working extremely hard,” said Moreau.
The comeback tie improved Andover’s record to 3-3-2.
Although Andover controlled the midfield throughout the match, Brooks capitalized on counterattacks and breakaways, giving them a 2-0 lead at the start of the second half.
The return of starting fullback Kaitlin Hoang ’17 combined with Moreau’s leadership was key to Andover’s success against Brooks.
Head Coach Lisa Joel said, “[Hoang] is so dangerous going forward out of the back. It changed the dynamic of our play, we have great confidence she is on the field. It is a huge win to get [Hoang] back.”
Joel added, “[Moreau’s] leadership in that moment helped everyone to believe. She believed at halftime when we were down, and even when we were down 2-0 she kept going forward. To come back from being down 2-0 was pretty awesome, and to dictate the end of the second half was even better.”
Last Saturday, Andover faced Choate, last year’s Class-A runner-up. Andover held Choate’s powerful offense at bay with a steady defensive line. Midway through the second half, Choate capitalized on offense, scrambling inside the box to win 1-0.
Choate’s goal skimmed the hand’s of Andover goalkeeper Antonia Tammaro ’17. Andover battled Choate for possession, managing to produce numerous scoring opportunities. Unfortunately, despite its best efforts, the team was unable to fight its way back.
Motivated by the loss, Andover hopes for a win when it takes on St. Paul’s this Saturday.
