Anna Fucillo ’15 waited in the slot unguarded as Caroline Garrity ’15 dumped the puck into the offensive zone. Off a rebound from Elizabeth Welch ’18, Fucillo flicked a wrist shot into the back of the net to give Andover Girls Hockey a 2-0 lead over Governor’s on Friday and the momentum to close out a 4-0 win.
Following a rocky two game losing streak, the team faced a lot of pressure this week in order to make the playoffs, and as a result, Andover was all business squaring off against Governor’s.
Following a quick goal from Kelli Mackey ’15 that extended her team lead early in the first, Andover never looked back, dominating Governor’s in every facet of the game.
Governor’s did not get a shot off on Andover goalie Ashley Tucker ’18 for the first ten minutes of the game, until Tucker made a diving save on a shot right in front of the net.
In the second period, Fucillo and Elizabeth Welch both scored, giving Andover a solid three goal advantage. Andover’s stifling defense only allowed 11 shots all game, while its offense totaled 37.
One of Garrity’s goals from the third period sealed the victory as Andover rolled to a 4-0 win and Tucker picked up the shutout.
“We all know what’s at stake here and we know what we need to do to make it [to the playoffs],” said Fucillo. “It’s going to take everything we’ve got and this game was a good first step for us.”
Riding the momentum of the win into Wednesday’s game, Andover faced a very strong Nobles and Greenough team. Nobles, with a preparatory girls’ hockey program, a featured a skater on the United States U18 National Team as well as a forward committed to play at Boston College. Andover battled the stacked team to a 2-2 tie.
Nobles struck first, as the two Nobles superstars combined to score on a quick odd-man rush. Entering the second period, Andover trailed 1-0, behind strong play from goalie Alexa Matses ’18.
In the second, Andover retaliated with goals from Charlotte Welch ’18 and Jenn Davis ’16 to take a 2-1 lead. Less than a minute later, Nobles tied the game at two apiece.
Nobles pressed Andover hard in the third period. Two Andover penalties kept Nobles on the attack for the first half of the period. Matses, however, would not go down, stopping the 16 shots sent her way.
Andover couldn’t generate much offense late in the game, failing to score on Nobles’ penalties late in the third period.
Overtime play was even, as both teams traded shots but could not gain an advantage. With just under ten seconds remaining, Andover brought the puck into the slot. A shot from Kaitlin Hoang ’17 was deflected and picked up by Fucillo.
A remarkable save by Nobles’s goalie saved the game for Nobles, and the game ended in a 2-2 tie. The tie keeps Andover’s playoff hopes alive, as it moves to 14-6-3 on the season.
Mackey said, “It was a full team effort today. “Everyone knows if we want a shot at the playoffs, we have to play as a team. Everyone went out with their best effort and even though we didn’t win, I think we’re all proud of the result today against such a good opponent.”
Andover will continue its journey to the playoffs as it faces Milton on Friday.
