BURLINGTON – Andover area hockey senior Rose MacLean admits she has a brand new favourite area and it’s not her residence turf.
Back-to-back state championships on the similar place will do this.
The second-seeded Golden Warriors (22-1) gained the rematch in opposition to top-seeded Walpole (21-2), 1-0, for a second straight Div. 1 state title. Both groups mixed for simply 5 pictures on objective Saturday morning at Burlington High School, as every protection and midfield starred the entire approach, making Mia Batchelder’s tally within the second quarter sufficient to safe the win.
“There is nothing better than this program, I love Andover field hockey,” MacLean mentioned. “Winning two state championships in a row is just something unbelievable. I can’t even believe we just did this. Burlington High School is my new favorite place. Two years in a row, I love it here. I don’t know, it’s just crazy. I’m so happy.”
Andover is repeat champion for the primary time since 2011, the fifth state title for head coach Maureen Noone.
“I marvel at how they can kind of pull things together and somebody always steps up at the right time,” Noone added. “That’s just a good, quality team. … Just a great group.”
Noone anticipated the sport to be determined by the uncommon alternatives both group would get previous the center of the sphere. That’s precisely what the packed home noticed develop.
Andover compelled a ton of stress proper at the beginning, producing three of its seven complete corners within the first body. Walpole’s nook protection held true with out permitting a shot on internet, whereas goalie Maddy Clark got here out of the cage just a few instances to kick unfastened balls out of the circle.
The Porkers seemed extra snug transitioning the ball to the assault extra as the sport went on, battling via the restricted area up the intestine and down the sideline on large hits. That couldn’t cease Andover from getting its personal exercise in transition come the second quarter, although.
Defense scrambled to clear the ball following a diving save by Clark, however Batchelder ran to the proper spot to complete off a 1-0 lead with 11:39 left within the half.
“Today we were focused on trying to get a goal early and then we were really trying to focus on killing the clock,” Noone mentioned. “We knew it was going to be a 1-0 game because we know that they’re such a good team and they’re quick, and they’re aggressive. … I would’ve liked another goal early one, but one did it and it’s all good.”
Walpole would solely permit another shot on objective the remainder of the best way, and even acquired a very good bid on the internet later within the body to attempt to tie it. But midfields and defenses took care of every part on each ends.
That included just a few Walpole bursts in transition to get exercise within the Andover circle within the second half, one in all which developed a pleasant alternative in entrance of goalie Adelaide Weeden earlier than she kicked it away within the fourth quarter.
“We knew today was a day we had to take it early and just play more on defense, and know our own game and just keep balls out of the circle,” MacLean mentioned. “(Walpole) is a very good team and in the circle, you never know what would have happened. … It’s a great feeling when you’re in the circle and you just clear it out. There’s nothing better than not letting someone get a shot off.”
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