Andover and Central play to tie, could meet again
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Thursday, October, 20
By Christopher Smith
Staff writer
ANDOVER — They are all thinking about it whether they will admit it or not.
Each coach and player from both Andover and Central girls soccer has to be thinking about the high probability that these two rival programs will meet in the Division 1 North tournament — and that the winner likely will advance to the state final four.
Central and Andover probably are the two best teams in this part of the state with Central being the defending Division 1 champion and Andover being ranked No. 1 in Massachusetts girls soccer right now.
“That would be an interesting matchup in the tournament, wouldn’t it?” Central coach Casey Grange said about the possibility of an Andover vs. Central do-or-die showdown.
The two MVC rivals played to a 1-1 tie here at Andover High last night.
“We’re both great teams, and I think it was great competition on the field tonight,” said Andover’s Gabby Cappello, who scored the contest’s first goal during the first half. “We can’t keep our heads down. It’s a tie. We need to move on and keep progressing.”
There are two other teams — Lexington and Winchester — from this part of the state that might be better than Central. The Raiders lost 2-1 to Winchester this past Saturday and will play talented Lexington on Nov. 1.
But Central certainly will be no pushover in the tourney. Neither will Andover who has outscored its opponents 33-2 this fall.
Central sophomore Courtney Walsh’s game tying goal in the second half of yesterday’s match was only the second goal Andover has allowed all season.
Golden Warriors keeper Emily Wilson and the Andover defense had gone 11 contests without allowing a goal before last night.
Walsh said tying Andover is a confidence booster for Central.
“Tying them, I guess it means that we can hold our own and beat anyone,” Walsh said, adding she knows her team probably will play Andover again.
Andover beat Central 1-0 on Sept. 22. Back then, the Raiders were ranked No. 2 in the Adidas/National Soccer Coaches Association of America national poll.
Much has changed since then. Andover is the program everyone is talking about. Andover is the big story.
“We were looking for a win and we wanted it so bad,” Wilson said. “We wanted to really make a statement and show that we could beat them twice.”
No such luck though for Andover as Central seemed to have made more of a statement.
“This was a total turnaround from the last time we played them,” Grange said. “Last time we played them, they scored early and we completely panicked and shut down. And they just completely dominated us. This time, they scored and we didn’t drop our heads. We picked it up that much more.”
Andover coach Meghan Matson said her team didn’t play as well it could have and that the Golden Warriors were tired after playing games Monday and Tuesday.
“We didn’t play our best game,” Matson said. “We were tired and we got out-hustled a little bit tonight. So we know that if we meet up with them in the state tournament that it’s going to be a great game. It was a great game the first time we played them. We definitely played a better game and we dominated more in the first game. Every time we play Central it’s emotionally driven. We’ve just got to figure out a way to finish.”
Matson said this year’s group of girls is the best team she has ever coached at Andover.
“I had some really good talent when I first came in (eight years ago),” Matson said. “We were nationally ranked. We had some excellent players. We were a tough team. But this team is the most talented team I’ve coached.”
Central’s Kate Mahoney stopped five shots. Wilson stopped four shots.
“I think we’re equally as talented (as Central) if not more,” Wilson said. “We can definitely play them and beat them.”
If Central had won, both the Raiders and Golden Warriors would have been tied for first place in the MVC.
Andover remains in first place. If the Golden Warriors win their two remaining conference games, they will be MVC champs.
Game Statistics:
Goals: A — Gabby Cappello; C — Courtney Walsh
Assists: A — Jackie Alois; C — Hannah Carey
Saves: A — Emily Wilson 4; C — Kate Mahoney 5
