Andover Girls Hockey, backed by a rowdy home crowd, banged home a 4-0 shutout victory over Exeter to close out its regular season with a 5-14-3 record. Although the record was not the most favorable, it was an improvement from last year, and the season was more than meaningful for the girls on the team.
“One of the greatest sports memories of my life was Andover-Exeter, and I can’t describe the feeling at the end of the game in words,¨ said Co-Captain Amy Morin ’14. ¨Sure, maybe our record wasn’t a winning one, but we had some awesome games and some that chance just didn’t go our way.¨
“The most memorable game for me was my final Andover-Exeter Ice Hockey game. It was the last time I would be on the ice playing for Andover,” said Hannah Sorkin ’14. “I could not have been prouder and happier that we worked hard and played together for the entire game.”
Caroline Garrity ’15, the team’s leading scorer, kicked off Andover’s scoring in the first period against Exeter. Morgan Hollowell ’14 followed Garrity with a power-play goal in the second period off of nice passing from Anna Fucillo ’15 and Sorkin.
Garrity added her second of the game later off a rebound, and Evagelia Toffoloni ’15 iced the game with an empty net goal late in the third period.
“I love this team more than anything and I couldn’t be happier to end my hockey career on such a satisfying note; satisfying because not only did we beat Exeter, but we also came together as a team both on and off the ice in a way that made me so proud to be a Captain,¨ said Co-Captain Renée LaMarche ’14.
¨This past season was one of the biggest highlights of my whole Andover career. I am so glad to have been a part of such a fantastic year for the program, and being Captain and having the opportunity to work so closely with Coach Weiner made it even more special,” she continued.
“The coaching staff did a good job working us hard in practices and getting us physically and mentally prepared for the games,¨ said Nikoletta Toffoloni ’15.
Other highlights from the season included on-the-road wins over Brewster Academy and Brooks.
Against Brewster, Andover took home a close 3-2 victory after traveling for hours to the stadium on a Friday afternoon bus. Against Brooks, Ashlyn Aiello ’14 had a strong performance at goalie in a 2-1 victory.
¨Our road trip up to Brewster was one of the most fun games, too. In general, though, it wasn’t the big moments that made me love the season, it was everything in between, with day-to-day practices and all of the other games, too, and the fact that I got to hang out with some of my best friends everyday after school doing something we love,¨ said Morin.
Andover will look to improve on its 5-14-3 record next season under the leadership of rising Seniors Co-Captains Fucillo, Elizabeth Kemp ’15 and Eliza Quigley ’15.
“It was an amazing season. I could not have asked for a better team to play my last season with, and everyone gave it all they got,” said Morin. “I just want to give a big thank you to my coaches, teammates and fans for making this season unforgettable and one of the best teams I’ve ever been a part of.¨
