Girls Hockey Sports

Girls Hockey Secures NEPSAC Runner-Up After Loss Against Nobles in Championship Game

After suffering a 5-4 loss to a closely-matched Nobles team in the Nepsac Championship game, Andover Girls Hockey ended its season with an 18-1-8 record. The team picked up two important playoff wins that week, defeating BB&N away on Wednesday and Loomis Chaffee at home on Saturday. This season marked the farthest an Andover team has played into the postseason.

According to Amelia Meyer ’21, the changes in mindset before each game helped to lead Andover all the way to the championship game. The team was focused and prepared to play during the championship in spite of playing just one day after its second playoff win on Saturday, according to Co-Captain Lilly Feeney ’20.

“I think it was just some small mistakes that probably were just mental mistakes but in terms of physically being ready I think we were 100 percent ready to play that game. I think in the game it just came down to one mistake that ended up giving them the win over us,” said Feeney.

“Ultimately we all showed up to play that day. Our playoff run was some of the best hockey that we played all season. We showed up and gave Nobles a fair fight. There was a really strong sense of camaraderie and friendship, and honestly, I can say for everyone on the team that we played for each other and that was really important,” said Meyer.

Molly MacQueen ’21, who will serve as one of the team’s three tri-captains along with Anna Bargman ’21 and Bridget Santos ’21, noted that the team felt accomplished and will use this loss as motivation next season.

“It definitely stung a little bit to lose such a close game after we had overcome so much this season but I think everyone on the team was incredibly proud of how far we had come and I think those of us returning will definitely remember how that game stung and use it to fuel next season,” said MacQueen.