Sienna Glass ’27 is in her first season playing for Andover Field Hockey.
Keira Bruen ’26 goes head-to-head against a Loomis Chaffee opponent.
Lucy Parker ’26 advances the ball as Kimberly Duplessis ’27 trails behind her.
In its first away game of the season, Field Hockey shutout Brooks on Thursday, a fierce competitor for the team holding the 2021 Class B New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) champion title. On Saturday, the team played Loomis Chaffee (Loomis), yet another strong team, but Andover was able to remain undefeated and has yet to give up a goal this season.
According to Neily Ware ’25, the team dominated from the beginning and followed through until the end.
“Brooks is always a competitive game for us because we say we are like cross-town rivals. We always really want to win. We knew they had a couple of strong players so we came in really hot and just wanted to play our best. We wanted to crush them, and we did,” said Ware.
Autumn Christian ’27 highlighted the team’s talent and speed, as it was able to move the ball from one end of the field to the other efficiently and then follow through with a goal.
“It was just amazing to see some of the talent on the team in action during quick plays. One minute, the ball is on the defense, and the next minute it is in the other team’s goal,” said Christian.
Ware shared that the team thrived under the leadership of Captain Shea Freda ’24. Freda kept the energy, positivity, and passion up throughout the game.
“[Freda] is always a standout. She’s really calm, cool, and collected. As our Captain, she can keep all of us positive, and sets that energy and tone for the game. She also brings the intensity everyday,” said Ware.
Following the win against Brooks, the team hoped to build upon its strengths and correct its weaknesses in anticipation of an intense game against Loomis. According to Christian, communication was a key factor in the team’s sweep.
“Communication was big. We communicated during Brooks, but definitely communicated more during the game against Loomis. I heard everybody talking to one another on the field, and I think that’s what we are going to pursue doing,” said Christian.
Corinne Spade ’27 noted the team’s ability to score goals early on in the Loomis game. She also highlighted the offense’s ability to get in the zone and pressure efficiently.
“During the last couple of games, in the first thirty seconds, we had corners, or a free shot. At the very beginning [against Loomis], we scored within 15 seconds of the game starting. We get in the zone quickly and effectively [and] our offense pressures when they have the ball. They usually get it, and then they go down low, and within the first thirty seconds, they score,” said Spade.
Looking ahead to the rest of the season, the team plans to focus on staying in sync and connected throughout the game. Ware shared that the team plans to work on fitness and spacing on the field.
“This week we are going to work on keeping up our conditioning, using our whole field, and having a strong connection with the backfield and the forwards. We want to keep playing our own game and keep up our position,” said Ware.
Field Hockey will face Tabor Academy away on Saturday.
