RallyNorth.net

BILLERICA — The disappointment was clear on the face of Andover coach Chris Kuchar as he led his team into the locker room for the final time. But the first-year head man chose to look on the positive.

Junior goalie Andrew Santos, in his first varsity start, had a shutout of a solid Danvers team as Andover grabbed a 2-0 victory in the first round of the Newburyport Bank Classic. Also, sophomore Michael Biddle scored his first career goal for the Warriors (10-3-5).

Steven Schuhwerk sccored twice to lead Andover 5-2 over Methuen in boys hockey. 

Nick Scarpa made 17 saves for the Golden Warriors. 

Steven Schuhwerk scored twice to lead Andover 5-2 over Methuen in boys hockey. 

Nick Scarpa made 17 saves for the Golden Warriors. 

Sophomore defenseman Matt Sharrio scored his  first varsity goal in the first period and that was enough as Andover slipped past Westford Academy 1-0. That improved the Warriors to 8-3-4 on the year and qualified them for the state tournament. Nick Scarpa had 22 saves for his fourth shutout of the season.

Sophomore blueliner Patrick Hughes netted his first varsity goal and Steven Schuhwerk (2 goals, 2 assists), Will Sauerbrunn (goal, 2 assists) and Brian Sargent (3 assists) were other offensive mainstays in Andover's 4-1 win over Wakefield.

Junior defenseman Andrew Soucy's first varsity goal was the game-winner as Andover scored three times in the third to beat Waltham 3-1.

North Andover's hockey team played its best game of the season to knock off rival Andover 5-3. Patrick Sweeney led the offense with a pair of goals and sophomore goalie Ben Carlson stood out with 29 saves. 

Central Catholic held on to beat Andover in hockey late Saturday night, handing the Warriors (5-1-4) their first loss of the season. Freshman Jake Wise scored twice for the Raiders, who improved to 8-3-1.

For the third time this year, Andover's hockey team pulled its goalie and tied the game in the closing seconds, this time with nine seconds left to deadlock Billerica 1-1. Brian Sargent got the goal on an assist from Zach Walker for the Warriors (4-0-4) and Nick Scarpa had 20 saves,