Lauren Jackson ’07 scored another winning goal as the Andover Field Hockey team kept its now ten-game unbeaten streak alive, beating Cushing 2-1. Both teams started the first half with strong offensive play. Just 2:15 into the game, Andover’s Jamie Harisiades ’08 received a pass from Kristen Macdonald ’07 and beat the Cushing goalie for the games first goal. The goal gave Andover a quick 1-0 lead. Andover’s lead was short-lived, as less than one minute later Cushing scored to tie the game at 1-1 just three minutes into the game. Both offenses started to slow down after the Cushing goal. Andover had several chances, but the Cushing defense stepped up and continued to hold Andover to one goal. The Andover defense played strong as well, keeping the Cushing offense at bay. The game headed into halftime still tied at 1-1. The second half was dominated by the Andover offense. It earned 12 corners in the half, but despite the numerous chances, the Andover offense was unable to find the back of the net. Finally, later in the half Andover was able to earn a penalty stroke. Once again, Jackson calmly stepped to the line and beat the Cushing goalie. This was Jackson’s fourth goal off a penalty stroke this season. With 12 minutes remaining, Andover now held a 2-1 lead. The Andover defense held off Cushing and closed out the game with another strong performance. Lead by goalie Ale Moss ’07 and Captain Annie Boylan ’07, the Andover defense was able to shut out Cushing in the second half. The game ended with Andover holding its 2-1 lead. Andover is now sitting near the top of the league with a 9-1-3 record. The Andover Field Hockey team is currently on a ten-game unbeaten streaking dating back all the way to September, when the team suffered its only loss of the season against Brooks. Saturday, Andover will close the season at home in the annual Andover/Exeter game. Exeter comes into the game with an impressive 11-3 record and a two game winning streak. Exeter has not allowed a goal in either game, beating Holderness 4-0 and then dominating their last opponent, Kents Hill. Exter dominated the game, both offensively and defensively, shutting out Kents Hill, 8-0. With both teams playing well this late in the season, Saturday will certainly offer a great game between rivals Andover and Exeter.
