RallyNorth.net

ANDOVER — Take a bow, Megan Collins. You're the reason North Andover is advancing in the Division 1 North tournament.

The Scarlet Knight goaltender faced an offensive onslaught from Andover in the first half of last night's first round game and kept the game scoreless. Surviving a more balanced second half and a pair of overtime periods, Collins got North Andover into penalty kicks, and when Eleni Coufos converted her team's fifth attempt, the Knights miraculously won the session, 5-3, and the game in front of about 300 fans at Lovely Field.

WOBURN — In a battle of Cinderella teams in the Division 1 North semifinals, Chelmsford's Hanna sisters combined to oust North Andover.

Rachel Hanna scored with nine minutes left in the first half with Megan Hanna assisting as the No. 15 Lions (14-5-3) trimmed the No. 14 Scarlet Knights (12-5-4).

After being snowed out in its regular season finale against Andover, just last week, North Andover will now have its opportunity. And that opportunity will come on the state's biggest stage.

North Andover (10-4-4) kicked past Chelsea yeterday in a breeze, 9-0, sending the No. 14 Knights to Tuesday's first round meeting against the Golden Warriors (7 p.m.).

Pam Coufos had both goals and Liv Boudreau assisted on both as North Andover girls soccer blanked Triton, 2-0. Megan Collins and Brittany Morrissey combined for six saves.

Sophomore Tori Sullivan and freshman Leah Chittick played well against an upset-minded Hamilton-Wenham squad as the midfield pair helped North Andover hold on for a 2-2 tie.

North Andover freshman Leah Chittick scored her first varsity goal as she helped the Knights to a 3-0 win over Pentucket. Liv Boudreau had the other North Andover goals and Alex Medlock assisted on all three goals.

North Andover girls soccer rallied from a 1-0 halftime deficit to beat previously unbeaten Amesbury, 3-1. Pam Coufos, Jess Carney and Caroline Kirby scored for the Knights. Amesbury had only given up one goal in four games.

Pam Coufos won a 50-50 ball, dribbled in and beat the Billerica goalie with eight minutes left to play as North Andover won its non-league soccer opener, 2-1. Audrey Samuelman, who set up Coufos' heroics, excelled defensively as did Rachel Barnes and Alexa Duffy.