With key players Assistant Captain Cara Daly ’13 and Elizabeth Kemp ’15 out with concussions, Andover Girls Hockey lost three games straight against Brewster, St. Paul’s, and Lawrence respectively.
The losses put Andover’s record at 2-10 and increases its losing streak to six games.
Andover began its week with a 5-0 loss against Brewster.
“We tried to be aggressive right back towards them, because if they had the puck within reach at all, they would just go for it. You just had to be ready for every shot,” said goalie Sara Merker ’15.
The next day, Andover took on the undefeated St. Paul’s. A powerhouse team with a some national level players, St. Paul’s proved a challenge for the Andover team. A St. Paul’s player scored a hat trick, and Andover lost 9-1.
Andover stayed with the powerful St. Paul’s team for the first period and only let in two goals, but the opposition’s aggressiveness and swiftness proved too much over the next two periods, as St. Paul’s scored a total of four goals in the third period.
“Our offensive zone play was pretty good; we were good at keeping the puck in their end. However, they were a very strong team. They were extremely fast and relentless, and they were also extremely physical. Not as physical as Brewster, but every chance they had they took it and went all out,” said Merker.
“It’s really tough because we’ve lost some really good players, but hopefully we’ll recover,” said Caroline Garrity ’15.
Andover lost 3-0 to Lawrence Academy on Wednesday. Andover fended Lawrence off during the first two periods, but Lawrence came through to score three goals in the third period.
“Merker made a ton of really good saves and stopped a lot of good chances,” said Amy Morin ’14. “We played aggressively throughout and got a lot of shots on net, with a lot of rebounds as well, though we were unable to capitalize.”
“I wish we could’ve pulled through to win. Everyone in the locker room was psyched about tying to first two [periods], but we just couldn’t pull through,” added Garrity.
Andover aims to improve with a recuperating team as it takes on St. Mark’s and Cushing this week.
