Boys Soccer is coming off a strong season last year and is looking to make a strong run into the playoffs this year. Last year, the team finished with an impressive record of 12-2-3, earning it a high seed in the playoffs. The team, however, met a tough Kent team in the first round, losing 1-0 in a very close game. Entering the 2010 season, Andover is without some key players including the Andover All-Time leading goal-scorer Garnet Hathaway ’10. Last year Hathaway was a major force for Andover, netting an impressive 16 goals, as well as being a leader for the team on and off the field. This year senior Tebs Maqubela ’11 and postgraduate Aaron Mentos ’11 look to lead Andover’s fiery offense. The squad has many returning players including a very talented group of returning seniors, led by Center-Mid Captain Mike DiFronzo ’11. The starting eleven for the first scrimmage of the year against Nobles consisted of eight returning seniors, as well as post-graduates Dillon Hawkins ’11 and Mentos, and William Poss ’12 in goal. The defensive line, led by Peter Lee-Kramer ’11, held well against the Nobles attack. Midfielders DiFronzo, Tim Marchese ’11, Andrew Wooton ’11 and Connor Hickey ’11 worked well together and created many chances with forwards Maqubela and Mentos. The best chance of the first period came fifteen minutes in when Hawkins ’11 sent in a beautiful cross to Marchese ’11, who headed the ball on-frame, only to be denied by a brilliant save by the Nobles keeper. After a sound showing in the first thirty-five minute period, Taylor Chin ‘14 opened his Andover career with a nice run through the Nobles defense and a shot into the side netting for the goal. Over the next thirty minutes of play both sides played hard, both creating numerous opportunities for a strike at goal. During the third period of play, fatigue set in, but both sides continued to fight hard. Andover held the lead up until the last few seconds when a Nobles striker found the right-hand corner with a hard shot. After the game Chin ’14 said, “Scoring my first goal for Andover was an amazing feeling. I am very lucky to be able to have the opportunity to play with such an experienced and great group of guys. Even though this is only my first year here the team has been very welcoming.” The team is now preparing for its opening game on Friday afternoon against St. Pauls. DiFronzo said, “I can’t help but be hopeful. We have great talent returning and our additions since last year will add depth and skill. As long as we work hard day in and day out and stay hungry, we should be a tough team to beat.”
