Andover Field Hockey has averaged five goals in its first four games of the season, holding an undefeated 4-0 record while only allowing two goals. Andover beat Governor’s 5-1 on Wednesday.
Andover scored two more goals after the first 3 minutes, leading 3-0 at the end of the first half. In the second period, Andover raised the score 4-0, then went on to recover just 50 seconds after the opponent’s goal to win 5-1, according to Head Coach Kate Dolan. The game marks the first time in three years that Andover has beat Governor’s.
Before the game, Andover prepared to face off against Governor’s aggressive play, practicing taking big hits and passing in pressure situations. It has also been working together as a unit, with recent events on campus bringing the athletes closer, according to Sarah Rigazio ’18 and Carly Kreytak ’20.
Rigazio said, “Going all the way back to preseason, we were a bunch of girls that didn’t really know each other too well, and now we are so close. Even though it’s still the beginning of the season we’ve become such a tightknit group, and the team chemistry is really there and we love being around each other.”
Though the team led the entire game, Andover struggled to maintain its composure against Governor’s high pressure play.
Kreytak said, “I think we definitely got a bit frustrated, but we were able to maintain our composure and stay poised.”
“The Governor’s team was really aggressive, and sometimes it was hard for us to keep our composure, but I think ultimately we did a really good job with that,” added Rigazio.
Despite the challenges presented by Governor’s play, Andover communicated well and played hard together, according to Dolan.
Coach Dolan wrote in an email to The Phillipian, “The girls took the field with tremendous courage, strength and heart — they played with each other, for each other and they played together as a team. Teamwork dominated the day.”
As it prepares for four games in the coming week, the team will continue to improve its transition defense, according to Coach Dolan.
Andover plays Tabor Academy on Friday and Choate on Saturday.
