Without Co-Captain Kimberly Chang ’08, Andover would flounder.Chang scored seven of Andover’s eight goals against Suffield, leading the team to an 8-4 win last Saturday. Andover also crushed NMH 13-8 on the same day. The starters, Co-Captains Chang and Caitlin Feeney ’08, Annie Glancy ’09, Mai Kristofferson ’09, Jill Kozloff ’09, Becca MacRae ’09 and goalie Taryn Wiens ’09, secured Andover’s lead in the first quarter of the game against NMH. “NMH was a small and young team. They were strong, but lacked the experience and technique of Andover water polo,” said Glancy. Andover’s plan was to put as many goals in the net as possible. And it worked. At the end of the first quarter, Andover held a 6-0 lead. The second quarter presented an opportunity for Andover’s less experienced players to face the opposition. Every Andover team member eventually saw playing time during the game. Despite the changes in lineup, the girls continued to command the game. Although the NMH team put up a good fight and started racking up some points towards the end of the game, Andover preserved its lead. The Suffield team proved more vigorous and aggressive. But Andover had a strategy. The girls strived for and achieved “quality defense and continuous motion, or driving, in the water,” said Chang. Andover also channeled its adrenaline into immediately striking Suffield with its strength. Both teams brought their intensity into the pool and worked tirelessly to wear out their respective opponents. Although Suffield boasted more strength, Andover pulled through with its superior technique and fast swimming.
