Meghan Ward ’19 handled the puck down the ice and fired in a top-shelf goal to clinch the Andover Girls Hockey team’s 3-0 victory, in the team’s first game of the season against Winchendon.
Despite the team being nervous due to it being the season opener, Andover played with calmness and composure according to Captain Kelly McCarthy ’19.
McCarthy wrote in an email to The Phillipian, “Of course, with our first game everyone can be a little nervous because it is our first time playing together, but after the first period we really did a good job of playing with more composure and moving the puck well. Even though we have only had two practices as a team, everyone hustled hard tonight and played for one another which is what our team is all about.”
As McCarthy mentioned, Andover only had two practices before its season opener. According to Bridget Santos ’21 and Katie Wimmer ’21, however, the new players are already fitting into the team despite the lack of practice time.
Santos said, “All of the new girls have integrated themselves into the team very seamlessly and it’s been a very natural transition. We definitely have a lot to work on, but I think it’ll be great.”
“I think that a lot of the team has been together for a while, so they play really well together and it was kind of a smooth transition for the new players because, you know, it’s just hockey. The lines seem to be working really well in my opinion,” continued Wimmer.
Andover played an overall strong and spirited game against Winchendon according to Wimmer and Santos.
“I think the team played [fantastically]—I thought there was a lot of good passing, skating, shooting, scoring, defense, hockey in general… just on point,” said Wimmer.
Santos added, “Everyone’s energy at both the practice, game, and scrimmage have been fantastic. I think there’s definitely been a big improvement, even within periods one through three in the game today I think there was a lot that we improved on, and I think we just continued to get better throughout the game.”
Andover also defeated Andover High School 4-0 in a scrimmage last Saturday, scoring two goals late in the game. According to McCarthy, the team will look to build off of its early season success.
She said, “It was great to get a win in our season opener and it was a good opportunity to see where improvements can be made and what we need to focus on in practice. We are all really looking forward to Friday and Saturday’s games.”
Andover Girls Hockey will play Dexter Southfield at home this Friday and travel to Northfield Mount Hermon on Saturday.
