With his team already up 2-1 over Milton, Dylan Mott ’15 headed in a cross from Alex Dziadosz ’16 at the back post to secure Andover’s eighth win of the season.
Andover continued its effective offensive play against both Tilton and Milton this week, scoring a combined ten goals in just two games. Andover defeated Tilton 7-0 and Milton 3-1.
“Our overall offensive posture was marked by our finishing precision and scoring at the right times of the game. Sealing one more victory and one more game, we [stay] undefeated in the 2013 season,” said goalkeeper Andre Marinho ’14.
Thirty minutes into Milton game, Dylan Mott ’15 placed a ball to side netting, which Sam Block ’14 tapped in for the first goal of the game. Less than five minutes later, a Milton midfielder played a ball across the 18-yard line, which slipped through Andover’s back line. A Milton player received it and placed it on the goal line, where it was accidentally knocked in by an Andover player.
“We went against a Class A team and were in need of [a] convincing win to capitalize on our growing streak of victories, so this game was of paramount importance, especially because we [faced] our hardest opponent yet,” said Marinho.
Milton went into the game with a record of 7-2-1, and although Andover emerged 8-0-2, Milton was very dangerous on offense and penetrated Andover’s defense multiple times in the first half. Milton only scored one goal, but it had numerous attemptsthat had the potential to change the game.
Going into the second half, Andover focused on preventing defensive breakdowns and increasing its level of communication to break the tie.
Late in the second half, striker Nick DiStefano ’14 drove the ball down the wing and beat Milton’s left defender down the end line. DiStefano cut the ball back to the penalty spot, where Mott hit a one-time shot past the Milton goalkeeper.
“Everyone played good, aggressive soccer, and really challenged Milton throughout the game,” said Clark Perkins ’14.
With ten minutes remaining, Dziadosz crossed the ball into the box from the right flank, and Mott headed it his second of the game to give Andover a 3-1 lead.
On the other hand, Tilton was not as strong of an opponent as it has been in past years. Tilton lost many Seniors, and the team’s youth got the best of it against an experienced Andover team.
Many Andover players were able to contribute on offense and score goals. Block scored off a corner kick from Co-Captain Taylor Chin ’14, and Mott, Conner Cameron ’15 and Dziadosz claimed goals as well. Clark Perkins ’14 played anchored defense, earning Andover another shutout.
Andover will face Northfield Mount Hermon (NMH) on Friday at 6:00 p.m. under the lights of Phelps Stadium. This game will be one of Andover’s toughest matches to date, as NMH beat Loomis 3-1, a team that Andover tied 1-1.
“I think we would like stronger communication against NMH, but I am confident that if we keep playing as a team and continue to work each day to get better that we will come away from Friday with a good result,” said Perkins.
