Although Andover Girls Soccer held its own defensively, it could not generate enough offense to overcome Loomis Chaffee’s one goal lead in last Saturday’s game. The 1-0 loss was especially disappointing given that Andover fell to Loomis in last year’s play-off semifinals.
The game was a nail biter all the way through, and neither team dominated the game more than the other. Andover played a strong possession game, but a lot of the game was stuck in the midfield. Both teams struggled to get offensive opportunities, although Loomis proved better at capitalizing.
Andover was ailing from injuries, missing key players Katie Kreider ’14, an outside midfielder, and Co-Captain and center back Piper Curtis ’13. Curtis has been the core of Andover’s defense since her Junior year.
“Especially without the guidance of Piper on the field, the Loomis game forced our team to work together better than ever before,” said Tessa Peterson ’15. “We had to make up for missing players, but every girl on the field rose to the challenge with high levels of communication and effort.”
“The score did not reflect the heart that our team played with,” added Peterson. “Every player gave it all she had, and we played 80 minutes of unbelievable soccer.”
The most disappointing play of the game came in the second half. Co-Captain Emily Hoyt ’13 punted the ball up the field and Hannah Guzzi ’14 received the ball and took a touch around her defender before releasing a low shot toward the right corner of the Loomis’ goal. Loomis’ goalie made a devastating stop to deny the goal opportunity.
Andover pushed for the rest of the game but could not pull it out in the end.
Guzzi said, “We worked really hard and played really well. It was a tough game, but we will beat [Loomis] in the playoffs if we get the chance.”
Kinsey Yost ’15 considers the game to be a learning experience.
“We played extremely well against Loomis. Everyone gave it their all, and we still really played as one. We were still missing a couple girls due to injury, but those places were filled with girls who played confidently and well,” added Yost.
Andover looks to move past its loss to Loomis when it plays at BB&N tonight at 5 p.m. and closes out the week with a home game under the lights against Tabor tomorrow at 6:15 p.m.
