Courtney MacDonald ’11 and Piper Curtis ’13 led the Andover defense to several crucial stops in the final minutes of Andover’s game against Lawrence Academy to hold on to a 2-1 win. Andover also defeated Holderness to complete an undefeated week, and bring its record to 10-3-3. Andover had the game under control in the first half, dominating the possession and rising to an early 2-0 lead. Leah Humes ’12 struck first for Andover on a cross from the wing that bounced off of a defender player and landed in the back of the net. Late in the half, Hannah Guzzi ’14 crashed toward the net and hit in a rebounded shot for Andover’s second goal. In the second half, however, Lawrence Academy was able to break down the Andover defense, scoring a goal of their own to bring them within one. “We really wish we hadn’t let up that goal,” Macdonald said. “We were getting a bit too comfortable, and they caught us by surprise.” Andover’s superb defense was able to hold off the Lawrence Academy attack in the late minutes to seal the win. This was Andover’s second game of the season under the lights, and it seemed to play to Andover’s advantage. “The fans were great,” Macdonald said. “There were so many people there all cheering and going crazy for us, and we couldn’t have asked for more. Towards the end, it was really anybody’s game, and the fans were able to motivate us enough for us to maintain our lead.” Andover took on Holderness on Wednesday, dominating the field in a 6-1 victory. In the first half, Andover seemed to score with ease, dismantling the Holderness defense, pounding in three goals while only conceding one. Maddie Bremmer ’12 scored her first goal of the season and was very happy with the way the team played in the first half. “We didn’t get lazy and we never let up, and that was great to see considering we won’t have the luxury of letting up against Exeter this weekend.” The second half was more of the same, as Andover scored three unanswered goals. Andover’s attack was consistent throughout the whole game, never letting up the pressure they put on the opposing defense. Guzzi, Humes, and Clare Ashforth ’11 all pitched in with one goal apiece, while Ambika Krishnamachar ’11 boasted two goals of her own. Andover’s undefeated week provides great momentum as they go up against Exeter this Saturday. “We really set the tone for the game against Exeter,” said Co-Captain Katherine Woonton ’11. “Everybody got equal playing time, everybody helped in their own way, and we’re going to carry this energy into Saturday’s game.” Exeter is always a tough opponent for Andover, and the team is prepared for a victory. Woonton said, “We are looking forward to it. We can’t wait, and it’s definitely going to be a great game.”
