9/20 – Andover: 1, Loomis: 4
9/25 – Andover: 7, Austin Prep: 0
On Friday, Andover Boys Soccer (1-1-2) faced a roaring student section full of red which changed the tide of the game, resulting in a difficult loss against Loomis Chaffee (Loomis). The team then came back and beat Austin Preparatory School on Wednesday.
The game against Loomis started off with an exciting goal for Andover before the half. Co-Captain Spencer Madge ’25 highlighted Alex Mitarachi ’25 and his header to give Andover the lead at the beginning of the game.
“Alex Mitarachi really got the team going. He had a great header goal in the first half, which really brought our energy up. He also played lockdown defense and made some great plays that kept us in the game. He really locked down everyone,” said Madge.
Although the team began with a goal, the atmosphere at Loomis was different after the half. According to Louis-Thomas Vincent ’25, the tone of the game changed drastically as Loomis players leaned into the advantage of the home crowd.
Vincent said, “It was funny to see their home crowd reacting after every single action in the game. Props to them for really showing out. My highlight of the game was when we scored the goal, and we just celebrated in front of their home crowd. Unfortunately, we definitely poked the bear a little bit, and that’s what maybe made them really hyped for the second half.”
The effect of the Loomis crowd was felt by the entire team. Following the game, Madge spoke about improvements the team wanted to make going into its next game.
“We just need to work on being composed. We panic sometimes when we’re under pressure, so just working on playing under pressure and controlling the ball out from the back. We can improve in practice as the intensity in practice could be a little better. That will help us create a better game environment and be able to handle the pressure a little more,” said Madge.
Looking past the loss on Friday, Kai Myles ’27 spoke about the team camaraderie. He highlighted the energy, togetherness, and differences from last year’s team environment.
Myles said, “Right now, the team dynamic, especially after the win against AP [Austin Prep], couldn’t be any better. We do everything as a team. When somebody makes a joke, we all laugh as a team, and we all chip in every now and then just to help and support each other throughout everything. Of course, we had a little bit of a rough start, but we’re still sticking through it together because it’s one team. It’s never one specific player’s fault, everybody can help, and the environment we’ve fostered feels way better than last year.”
While the team is forming chemistry and connectivity, it is also developing a relationship with the new Coach. Madge highlighted how the team is beginning to adjust to the new coaching and how he and his fellow Co-Captains are bridging the gap between the players and the coach.
“We’re adjusting well, obviously with a new Coach and all, but it’s important to realize that the adjustment isn’t going to go perfectly smoothly in the first few weeks. There’ve been some tough moments, there’ve been some highlights, but we’re communicating with the team, and as the Captains we’re talking it out with the Coach. We’re getting better every day, and that’s what matters, and overall, we’ll see some upward trajectory,” said Madge.
After an impressive performance against Austin Prep, the team walked away with confidence to take on its next game. Myles spoke on the mentality of the team and the player’s drive to win at home.
Myles said, “We had a rocky start with a really rough schedule, but we did well throughout those first three games, and this AP win is only going to push us even further and give us the confidence to know that we can score goals and defend in the system we’re using, we can concede barely any goals, and just do everything as a team. Taft is going to be tough, but we have the lineup… to cause them a big problem. It’s going to be nice to feel like we need to protect our home, considering that we lost on it last time, so we can’t let it happen again.”
Boys Soccer will play against the Taft School on Saturday.
