Travis Bouscaren ’14 netted seven goals in two games this weekend, leading Andover Boys Water Polo to a 16-8 win over Hotchkiss and a 12-5 victory over Williston in back-to-back games. These wins improved Andover’s record to 5-2 and qualified the team for the postseason.
Defense was the key to both of these wins. “Our perimeter defenders generated a lot of fast-breaks,” said Bouscaren. “Also, our defense crashed on their two-meter player very well, limiting his effectiveness and causing him to get frustrated.”
In the first game of the day against Hotchkiss, Andover’s offense came alive after a defensive lapse allowed Hotchkiss to take a 1-0 lead. Once the team slowed down the pace of the game and set up on offense, Bouscaren and Eric Benca ’12 each netted a goal to give Andover a 2-1 advantage.
Andover’s quick counterattacks led to nine goals in the second quarter alone, giving the team an 11-2 lead by the half.
Thanks to the blowout, all 14 players were able to get playing time in the second half and gain experience. Henry Kennelly ’13, a key defensive force, said, “Everybody got some good playing time and everybody made something happen. It’s that kind of game that builds the whole team.”
Physical defense forced turnovers, and, as Andover continued to outswim Hotchkiss, the goals piled on. Nick Camarda ’12 finished the game with a hat trick and Benca added another goal. The game ended in a 16-8 Andover victory.
Immediately after the convincing win, Andover jumped right back into the pool to play Williston for a chance to clinch a playoff spot early in the season. Andover’s offense exploded early in the first half with goals from Benca, Chris Nanda ’12, Calvin Aubrey ’12, Derrick Choi ’12, Michael Camarda ’14 and Bouscaren to gain a 9-1 halftime lead. With phenomenal saves from Captain Andrew Wilson ’12 and strong perimeter defense from Michael Camarda, Nick Camarda and Choi, Andover limited Williston’s offensive threats. The Camarda brothers and Nanda added insurance goals in the third quarter, and the less experienced players closed out the half, ending the game in a 12-5 victory and securing a spot in the playoffs.
These wins showed Andover’s progress as a team in the past week. Benca said, “We’re improving dramatically with each passing week.”
Similarly, John French ’13 commented, “It was a full team effort and it was great to see how much we’ve improved since only a week ago.”
The team will play Choate at home this Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
