Will Godbout ’20 played two years on the JV team before joining Boys Soccer as an Upper.
Sam Kumler ’21 charged into the box on a corner kick, heading the ball into the net and putting the team up 1-0. Ultimately, Andover Boys Soccer tied last Saturday against Kimball Union Academy. The team later fell 2-0 in Wednesday’s faceoff against Tabor, bringing its record to 5-8-1.
During Saturday’s game, the coaches stressed the importance of transfers through the midfield and up the sideline to the wing players, according to Tulio Marchetti ’21.
“The coaches really emphasized the wingers getting up so we [could] start the attackers passing. The ball played by the midfield depended on when the wingers chose to make their runs. So a lot of responsibility was given to the wingers and then the attackers,” said Marchetti.
According to Alex Fung ’21, the team was able to maintain possession and create offensive opportunities, but struggled to finish.
“On Saturday, we did a really good job on moving the ball around the other team. We did a really good job on not trying to force it up one side and switching it back around and keeping the ball. We were able to play the ball through sometimes, but we had some trouble putting the ball in the back of the net,” said Fung.
According to Nino Stuebbe ’20, on Wednesday against Tabor, Ethan Hong ’22 and Co-Captain David Wang ’20 played exceptionally well. Despite Co-Captain Connor Ding ’20 being injured, Wang fulfilled his role and carried the team, according to Hong.
“Ethan Hong and David Wang both had an amazing game… because they were the driving force in a lot of attacks. Ethan played right wing and right back, so he received the ball on defense and managed to bring the ball up the wing by making good runs and passing the ball when it was the best option,” said Stuebbe.
Hong added, “Our Co-Captain Connor Ding is currently injured, so David stepped up and did a great job today. There was one play when David had the ball, and dribbled all the way up to the half, and made a nice pass to [Will Godbout ’20] who almost scored.”
In preparation for its game against Phillips Exeter Academy, the team hopes to work on its communication on the field, according to Stuebbe.
Steubbe said, “I think there can never be enough communication, so we will just have to focus on communicating more to work together more coherently.”
Andover will travel to Exeter for its annual Andover/Exeter game this Saturday.
Editor’s Note: Tulio Marchetti is an Associate Layout Editor for The Phillipian.
