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North Andover soccer coach's remarkable journey to success

Kevin "Bud" McCarthy keeps the portrait in his wallet. It's stained and yellowed, but the gold buttons on his uniform are still bright.

Could it really be him?

If you didn't believe that McCarthy a man known for his wit, charm and empathy, was a marine, the photograph proves it.

iatkowski's efforts for naught as North Andover is eliminated

Maya Miatkowski made 11 saves, but No. 2 North Andover still fell to No. 7 Belmont, 2-1, in the Division 2 North quarterfinals. Katie Maroney scored the Scarlet Knights' goal, assisted by Danielle Quinlan and Britt Chiles. Tara Donahue added a standout game on defense for North Andover.

Coaches' Corner: Kevin "Bud" McCarthy

Kevin "Bud" McCarthy's summer soccer camp is a thing of the past. That's why, he said, his coaching record isn't a concern anymore.

"I don't have to keep track of that anymore," he said. "It was always good to have on the brochure."

North Andover slides past Concord-Carlisle

Jackie Sullivan threw the ball in to Melissa Arn, who volleyed it into the goal 13 minutes into the second half to give No. 2 North Andover a 1-0 win over No. 15 Concord-Carlisle in the Division 2 North first round.

Masco Clinches share of CAL crown

Needing a win to clinch a share of the Cape Ann League crown, Masconomet wasted no time putting the pressure on, handing co-champ North Andover its first league loss of the year, 2-0. Amy White opened the scoring just 4:30 into the game and Lucy Gildein added a goal in the second half to deliver the goods for the Chieftains (14-1-2, 11-0-2 CAL).

Fagan lifts Knights

DeeDee Fagan netted two goals for North Andover as it got past Georgetown, 4-1. The Scarlet Knights' Jackie Sullivan had two assists. Bri Connolly and Lauren Bova played exceptional defense for the Scarlet Knights, holding Georgetown to just five shots. Nicoline Holland scored the only goal for Georgetown.

North Andover downs Amesbury

Jenn Pino scored a pair of goals to lead North Andover over Amesbury 3-0. Hilary Fonseca and Lauren Bova each played well for the Scarlet Knights.

North Andover's Dellea has not let a pair of ACL injuries slow her down

There were just seconds remaining in a routine win over Ipswich, but the second Mariah Dellea heard the unmistakable "pop" in her right knee she instantly knew her soccer season was over.

"It's a weird sound that you know when you hear it," said Dellea of the ominous sound which only accompanies a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

North Andover downs Rockport

Jen Pino's hat trick gave North Andover a 5-0 win over Rockport. Lauren Bova and Hillary Fonseca each had a goal and Kelly O'Connor recorded a pair of stops for the Scarlet Knights.

Clippers come up short

NEWBURYPORT | For a Newburyport girls soccer team that is 45-5-5 since 2005, rarely does a match pass in which the Clippers don't get another team's best effort.

In a rare circumstance, the Clippers weren't able to match an opponent's best effort yesterday, dropping a Cape Ann League rivarly game to North Andover, 2-0, at Cherry Hill Field. The Scarlet Knights had plenty of motivation; The win moves the squad into a first-place tie with Newburyport for the Cape Ann League title and avenges a 1-0 defeat last year at the hands of the Clippers.

North Andover edges Lynnfield

Facing a 1-0 halftime deficit, North Andover scored two second half goals to take a 2-1 win over Lynnfield. Melissa Arn and Jen Pino notched goals for the Scarlet Knights (7-1) while Ashley Lambers dished out an assist. Midfielders Jackie Sullivan, Tara Donahue and Kelly Cardinal excelled while goalie Maya Miatkowski had nine saves.

North Andover defeats Pentucket

Since losing to Masconomet 1-0 Sept. 17, North Andover has scored 11 times and given up zero goals in three straight wins, including yesterday's 3-0 victory over Pentucket. Danielle Quinlan was the offensive star of the game with two goals and an assist, while both Rebecca Baker and Bri Connolly both had strong games on defense.

Sophomore surge keys Knights

While Masconomet (2-0 CAL, 2-1) and Newburyport (3-0 CAL, 4-0) loom as prohibitive favorites in the CAL, you cannot discount North Andover.

The Knights gave the Chieftains all they could handle Monday in a 1-0 loss that saw the game's lone goal go in off a North Andover deflection.

Masconomet squeaks by North Andover

North Andover fell to Masconomet 1-0. Knights goalkeeper Maya Miatkowski kept her team in the game, making 11 big saves. Other North Andover standouts included midfielders Jackie Sullivan, Morgan Healey and Kelly Cardinal.

Quinlan, Fagan propel Knights

North Andover opened its season in style with a 3-1 victory over Billerica. Danielle Quinlan, Cassandra Fagan and Katie Moroney each scored a goal for the Scarlet Knights.

North Andover Girls Soccer Preview

2006 record: 11-5-5, lost in Division 2 North semifinals

Returning starters (7): Rebecca Baker, Sr., defense; Morgan Healey Sr., midfield; Danielle Quinlan, Sr., midfield; Lauren Bova, Jr., defense; Melissa Arn, Jr., midfield; Maya Miatkowski, Jr., goalkeeper