RallyNorth.net

 On the opening day of state tournament play, Shannon Hartford showed Westford Academy why she was the Cape Ann League Division 2 player of the year.

Scoring eight goals and assisting on two others, Hartford had a hand in all but one of No. 6 seed Georgetown's goals in an 11-10 victory over No. 11 Westford Academy in the EMass. Division 2 North opening round.

Andover missed a chance to capture its first Merrimack Valley Conference/Dual County League Division 1 title, losing to Westford Academy 2-0 last night.

"Tonight is very disappointing," said Andover coach Mario Martiniello. "We have had a great season, but to lose like this with the league and Super 8 on the line, its hard to feel good about."

Six days after the New England Patriots failed to make history, the Greater Lawrence wrestling team made a lot of it yesterday at the Division 2 North Sectional at Beverly High School.

The Reggies, who are the defending Division 2 dual-meet champions, overwhelmed the 12-team field to finish first with 278 points, placing seven in the finals, crowned four champions, placed all 14 wrestlers (top six) and advanced 12 to next week's Division 2 state meet at Reading.

Methuen senior John Sughrue didn't get the match he would have preferred, but he had plenty of consolation yesterday at the Methuen Invitational.

Because he moved up a weight class to 130 pounds this year, there was no showdown with Salem star Trevor Dearden, but both Sughrue and Dearden came away big winners.

In what was arguably its toughest test since moving to Division 1, Andover was downed by MVC preseason-favorite Westford Academy, 2-1. Freshman forward Paul Russell netted the lone Warrior goal, and goaltender Nick Drew made 29 saves as Westford outshot Andover 30-29.

Katie Boringa netted two goals as North Andover downed Westford Academy 4-1 in the first round of the Division 1 North tournament. Courtney Lynch picked up two assists for the Scarlet Knights (20-0), who host Lexington Sunday at noon.

Two goals from Rachel Konaxis helped the Panthers erase a 2-0 halftime deficit and force overtime, but Westford got the deciding goal in extra time to advance in MIAA Division 1 North action. Hayley Govoni also scored for Beverly while Meg Finn turned in a strong effort.