RallyNorth.net

Andover snaps Londonderry streak

Sunday, May, 22 By Jeff Hamrick

ANDOVER — On the schedule it might have appeared to be just a late-season game between cross-state opponents. But the trip south the Londonderry girl’s lacrosse squad made last night had a playoff atmosphere.

After all, the two-time defending New Hampshire state champions brought a 51-game winning streak against an Andover squad ready to take its place among the elite Massachusetts programs.

The Golden Warriors, which lost in the Division 1 North semifinals last year, ended the Lancer’s impressive run with a tough 12-9 victory, winning their 15th consecutive game in the process.

“That’s a heck of a Londonderry team and we have so much respect for their program,” said Andover coach John McVeigh, whose Warriors are ranked eighth in Eastern Massachusetts. “This was a nice win for us, but that winning streak is incredible. I’m happy for our girls, but I have undying respect for that team.”

The loss was the Londonderry’s first since dropping another out-of-state match against Framingham on April 18, 2009.

“It isn’t about the winning streak,” said Londonderry coach Bob Slater, who had only four returning starters this year. “It’s about this team. We weren’t expected to be where we are now, and to come down here and play (one of the best teams) in Massachusetts and stay with them within three goals is pretty remarkable for a team that replaced seven starters.”

Londonderry (14-1) twice had one-goal leads early in the first on a pair of goals by freshman Alexa Bedell, who finished with three and now has a team-high 50 on the season. But the Golden Warriors (18-1) took the lead for good with 17:21 left in the first half on a score by Jen Caro, who had three on the night and now has nine in her past three games.

“This means a lot because they’re a real good team,” said Andover junior Ally Fazio, who scored four goals, added two assists and won five of six draws during a crucial stretch in the second half. “We knew about they’re winning streak coming in.”

Andover’s twice took four-goal leads in the second half, but was unable to put away the Lancers, who allowed double-figure goals for only the second time this season. The Warriors, who had six different players score at least once, became just the fifth team to score more than six against Londonderry, which entered the game allowing 5.9 goals per game.

It was the kind of win that should provide motivation in the upcomming playoffs for Andover, which closes its regular season against North Andover tonight.

“I think this year we’re a lot more of a team,” Fazio said. “We all play together so well, and I trust every girl on my team. Everyone can score and we’re really hard to defend. We’re kind of the same team (as last year), but we have more experience playing with each other.”