NORTH ANDOVER — Even without being at the game, Andover girls lacrosse coach John McVeigh made his presence felt yesterday afternoon against archrival North Andover.
"He was texting us on the way to the game, telling us what to look for, how he wanted us to play," said Andover tri-captain Kelly Driscoll. "He had us ready."
The Warriors were more than ready to listen to McVeigh's instructions, partly because they were still reeling from a last-second loss to unbeaten Winchester Friday night, but more because their thoughts were with their coach, whose wife Candice was in labor in anticipation of their second child.
"We really wanted to win it for coach and the baby," said Driscoll. "And we responded really well from last (Friday) night. We felt we had to win this game."
The Warriors' determination was evident in an impressive 12-4 victory which handed the Knights (11-1-1) their first loss of the season.
Ahead 6-4 at halftime, Andover (9-3) dominated the second half, holding possession more than 80 percent of the time. In fact, North Andover's defense did well to hold the Warriors to six second-half goals.
"I think we held our own and played good defense, but their transition was impeccable and they have some tremendous talent," said North Andover coach Karen Lahey. "They're so well coached, they're hard to run on, and they hardly ever turn it over. We just lost to a really good team ... I think they'll do well in the tournament."
What made Andover particularly tough was that it spread around its attack. Jess Forster led with four goals, Ilana Cohen and Cat Gross added two each and Driscoll, Heather Sullivan, Katelyn Caro and Emily Bleich each added one.
"I thought we passed the ball really well and the goals were spread out, which was really nice," said assistant coach Meghan Matson, who was the acting head coach. "Plus we did a good job on ground balls and draws which was really important."
Moreover, goalie Jules Konjoian made several nifty saves, including two in the final minute of play.
Andover scored the first goal of the game, but Morgan Healey quickly tied it up for North Andover. However, the Warriors scored four straight times to take a lead it would never relinquish.
North Andover rallied with successive rushes up the field and goals from Jenn Pino right before halftime, but the Knights couldn't sustain that momentum in the second half.
Andover 12, North Andover 4
Goals: NA — Jenn Pino 2, Emily Vento, Morgan Healey; A — Ilana Cohen 2, Jess Forster 4, Cat Gross, Heather Sullivan, Kelly Driscoll, Katelyn Caro, Emily Blech
Assists: A — Cohen, Gross, Caro 2, Driscoll
Saves: NA — Stephanie Taylor 9; A — Jules Konjoian 8
Halftime: Andover, 6-4
Records: North Andover 11-1-1; Andover 9-3
