With the clock ticking down in overtime against Taft last Saturday, Andover made one final push to the goal but was quelled by Taft’s defense ending the game in a 3-3 tie. Summer Washburn ’11 took a quick lead in the first period at Harvard’s Bright Hockey Center against Taft last Saturday, tipping the puck into the net. Taft then fought back, evening up the score 1-1. However, Andover jumped to regain the lead as Captain Kellie Walsh ’11 netted a second goal at the end of the first period. Andover came out a little shaky at the beginning of the second period, and Taft evened the score again 2-2. However, Mari Walsh ’11 wasted no time battling back, as she skated down the ice and sent a beautiful shot into the goal unassisted to take back the one-point lead. Taft capitalized on another offensive opportunity in the third period, once again evening the score 3-3. Andover’s defense held Taft from scoring any more, which sent the game into a five minute overtime. Neither team was able to put any points on the board during the overtime at Harvard, leaving the ice with a final 3-3 tie. “It was really exciting to play at Harvard, and though we didn’t come out with a win, we know that we played a solid game,” said Cara Daly, ’13. The following Monday, Andover squared off against New Hampton. Ann Doherty ’11 jumped to an early lead, scoring right off the bat in the first period. Andover continued to dominate in the second period, when Kellie Walsh shot in an insurance goal. Walsh’s goal was soon met with one from New Hampton, but still held a one-point goal. The Andover offense swept through the third period. Mari Walsh added a third point to the board at the beginning of the period, and Gina Sawaya ’13 finished up the game with a fourth for a final 4-1 win. Wednesday, Andover traveled to take Tabor Academy. Tabor stunned Andover a bit at the beginning of the game, snagging two goals for an early advantage. However, Andover adjusted to Tabor’s playing style, holding them at the two-point lead for the entire second period. In the third period, Tabor took another goal, which Andover soon met with an offensive spark. With five minutes left in the period, Sarah Marcotte ’13 sent a smooth pass to Mari Walsh, who deflected the puck into the net for the first goal of the game. When the final buzzer rang, Andover had not yet been able to come back, falling 3-1. “We played a really good third period and fought really hard at the end; unfortunately we couldn’t play the whole game like that.” said Greer McBeth ’12 Andover hopes to focus on working hard on back checking, forechecking, and starts and stops in upcoming practices. The team will next travel to face tough competitor Governor’s this Friday.
