Thursday, January 25, 2007 Older Editions

AHS ROUNDUP: Ice is nice, while snow means they go

By Rick Harrison

Both Andover High varsity ice hockey teams are coming off their best week of the season.

The girls chalked up back-to-back shutout wins over Lincoln-Sudbury (3-0) and Chelmsford (4-0), strengthening their hopes for a league championship and inching within one slender point of an MIAA Division 1 Tournament berth.

The boys handled non-league Division 1 Wakefield in the two schools' inaugural ice battle, 2-1, and followed with an important 3-0 shutout of league archrival Tewksbury.

The Golden Warriors had a rugged test last night (weather permitting) against Division 1 Central Catholic.

That one was a win-win situation for Andover - because the outome meant nothing in the standings and it would be considered a major upset if the locals pulled off the victory.

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News on the basketball court was semi-sweet.

The boys qualified for the MIAA Division 1 North Tournament again and kept the surprises coming with a superb 57-46 victory over favored Top 10-ranked Brockton, followed by a 61-57 payback triumph over Lawrence High.

The AHS girls fell back into a three-way tie for the top spot in Merrimack Valley Conference Division 1 with a tough 65-61 loss to fellow tri-leader Central Catholic on the road in Lawrence.

Elsewhere, the alpine ski season got underway with the Andover girls and boys both winning twice... and the boys gymnastics team picked up its first dual-meet victory of the season.

GIRLS HOCKEY

Capt. Becky Cairns produced her long-awaited offensive breakout, scoring her first hat trick of the season, as the Andover High girls varsity hockey team inched closer to another MIAA Division 1 Tournament berth with a convincing 4-0 Merrimack Valley/Greater Boston League victory over host Chelmsford at the Chelmsford Forum.

Cairns, a definite offensive threat who had netted a modest six goals in the first 10 games this winter, connected twice in the second period and again in the third to author a natural 'trick (three straight goals).

She shared the spotlight with sophomore goaltender Megan Pettoruto, whose 15-save effort produced her first solo shutout of the season and the team's second straight and fourth overall whitewash.

AHS moved to 9-1-1 overall, including 6-1 in MVC/GBL play, and the Lady Warriors are just one point shy of qualifying for the tournament.

They will have plenty of chances to earn the berth, needing only a tie in their remaining nine games (18 possible points).

The locals also blanked Lincoln-Sudbury 3-0 recently in a non-leaguer, and have allowed only one goal in three games (135 minutes) since the only loss of the season to Arlington (4-1) back on Jan. 10.

"I reviewed the tape of the Arlington game a couple more times - and we played much better than I thought," said AHS head coach Bill McCarthy. "Our power play has not been perfected yet - but our penalty killing and defensive zone coverage is excellent. That's a big reason for our success.

"We're definitely on a roll right now. This is finals week (mid-year exams) and we're off - except for two practices. Last week we had a series of great practices.

"I'm really happy with the way we're playing," said the coach.

Schedule

AHS returns to the ice Saturday evening with a league game at Everett (5 p.m.), and next Wednesday night the locals host Wilmington (9-1) in an interesting non-leaguer at the Harrison Rink (7:30 p.m.).

Scoring leaders

Sarah Oteri leads the point parade 12 goals and six assists, while Becky Cairns has nine goals, six assists and Heather Paonessa five goals, four assists.

Andover 4

Chelmsford 0

This one promised to be tougher, with the Lady Warriors playing away from home against a team they only edged 3-2 back on Dec. 23.

The Lions, better than their current 4-6-1 record, also handed Arlington its only loss (2-1).

Becky Cairns broke a scoreless tie at 3:03 of the second period, and less than three minutes later (5:40) she scored on the power play for a 2-0 bulge.

Sarah Oteri assisted on both goals and Heather Paonessa helped set up the second.

"We've been waiting for Becky to break out offensively, This is a good thing," said coach McCarthy.

Cairns completed her 'trick at 3:51 of the third, assists to Heather Paonessa and Asst. Capt. Trish Martin.

Oteri contributed an unassisted, shorthanded goal with less than two minutes remaining (13:09) in the game to cap the attack.

"Our penalty killing has been unbelievable all season," said McCarthy. "We killed five in this game and Chelmsford barely got the puck over our blue line.

"We're going to concentrate on being more offensive-minded in shorthanded situations the rest of the season. Our kids are skilled enough that we can do it and have success."

AHS finished with a wide 35-15 shooting edge, Megan Pettoruto perfect in the locals' net while beleaguered Chelmsford goaltender Britni Rowe finished with 31 saves.

Coach McCarthy reserved special praise for the efforts of senior defender/Capt. Becky Johnson and Heather Paonessa.

"Becky is a force at the blue line every game - and Heather is on fire right now. This was the best I've seen her (Paonessa) play all season."

Andover 3

Lincoln-Sudbury 0

"This was more of the typical gritty effort I expect from us," said coach McCarthy. "After the Arlington loss (4-1) and a flat performance against Billerica (2-1 win) - this was a breath of fresh air. We played like a rejuvenated team."

After missing two days of practice and one game with the stomach flu, freshman top scorer Sarah Oteri returned to the lineup and wasted little time making her presence felt in this non-leaguer at Phillips Academy's Harrison Rink.

Her 11th goal of the season at 11:34 of the first period was all the offense necessary.

"She was still a little weak," said McCarthy. "But it was good to have her back. She was a big help because she brings so much to the attack."

AHS added a pair of insurance goals in the second period to complete the scoring.

Capt. Becky Cairns, who set up Oteri's tally, notched an unassisted goal at 6:34 and sophomore defender Danielle Paonessa followed with her first goal of the season assisted by twin sister Heather.

Senior goaltender Christina Cahill stopped all 10 Lincoln-Sudbury shots to register her third solo shutout (Billerica, Waltham).

L-S Warrior netminder Liz Catinella kept it respectable by stopping 29 of the locals' 32 shots.

"We dominated the game territorially and had a lot of point-blank shots," said coach McCarthy. "We created many opportunities, but she (Catinella) played good position, covered the angles and rebounds well and kept it close.

"Everyone played, Whenever you can play a roster of 20 - and get chances to shine across the board - it's a good thing."

BOYS HOCKEY

Sparked by strong performances from goaltender Dan Abreu, and top scorer Tucker Mullin, the Andover High boys varsity hockey team whitewashed Tewksbury, 3-0, for its biggest victory of the season to date.

The win kept head coach Mario Martiniello's team in strong contention for the Merrimack Valley/Dual County League Division 2 championship, putting the Golden Warriors at 4-1 midway through the league schedule while dropping perennial challenger Tewksbury to 3-1-1 in MV/DCL 2.

Capt. Mullin scored twice in the first period for all the offense necessary - while Abreu was perfect in net with 32 saves, including 17 in a busy second period when the locals were forced to kill four penalties.

The key triumph on the Redmen's home ice - Janas Rink in Lowell - followed another impressive 2-1 non-league victory over Middlesex League member Wakefield in the first boys hockey game ever between the two schools.

AHS improved to 7-3-1 overall heading into last night's (Wednesday) interesting - but not vital - game against MV/DCL Division 1 power Central Catholic at the Valley Forum.

A win would be a huge feather in the Golden Warriors' head-dress, with Central entering at 7-1-2 overall and 4-0 atop the league's Division 1 standings.

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Andover has now played seven games decided by one or two goals, including a stretch of four straight one-goal contests (prior to Tewksbury) against Haverhill (5-4 loss), Billerica (3-2 loss), Methuen (3-2 win) and Wakefield.

"One positive aspect is the experience we're gaining from all these close games should help us at tournament time," said coach Martiniello. "Theoretically those games are all supposed to be tight and low-scoring.

"After the season we've been having - I doubt anything will phase us late in any game where we're tied, ahead by one or behind by one."

Schedule

The locals had the aforementioned tough assignment last night, after Townsman presstime, when they hosted powerhouse Central Catholic.

"They've been 'beating people up' by big scores," said Martiniello. "They're definitely deeper than we are - and that bench strength is going to make it really tough for us."

Saturday evening the locals travel to face MV/DCL 2 foe Boston Latin at Northeastern University's Matthews Arena (5:15 p.m.) as the second half of the league's division schedule begins.

Scoring leaders

Tucker Mullin had 15 goals and 12 assists through 11 games, as one of the top scorers in the entire MV/DCL, while John Hyslip had eight goals and eight assists, Capt. Colin Brennan three goals, nine assists and P.J. Paonessa five goals, five assists.

Hyslip mending

John Hyslip, who suffered a broken arm in the Billerica game earlier this month, is still hoping to return to the lineup for the Lowell game next Wednesday.

If his doctor says it's OK, he'll have the lower part of the arm wrapped in a short protective cast.

Mullin game puck

Two goals and a very sportsman-like gesture earned Tucker Mullin a game puck from coach Martiniello after the Tewksbury win.

"I have no objections with coaches who want to give out game pucks," said Martiniello. "Personally I almost never do it - but that's just a matter of choice."

Tradition was broken when Mullin made an unselfish decision late in the Tewksbury game.

He had scored two goals and was on the ice in the final minute - with a chance to record his third hat trick of the season and add to his impressive point totals.

Tewksbury had pulled goalie Bill Stuart for an extra skater when Colin Brennan banged the puck off the boards and - like a carom in bumper pool - it began sliding towards the empty net.

Mullin, who had missed the open net with his own shot seconds earlier, caught up to the disk and could easily have tapped it into the net to complete his hat trick. Instead he chose to simply follow it and make sure it was on target so Brennan would be credited with the goal.

"It was just such a classy thing to do," said Martiniello. "Tucker wasn't worried about scoring titles or padding his own stats. He gave up the hat trick - and for that he deserved the game puck."

Andover 3

Tewksbury 0

Tucker Mullin pocketed the only goal necessary just 33 seconds after the game-opening faceoff.

The unassisted tally came when he stole the puck in the neutral zone, took a TMHS defenseman wide of the net and switched to his backhand before lifting a shot that bounced in off Redmen goalie Bill Stuart's shoulder.

"It was a terrific play and Billy never had a chance on it," said Martiniello, who manages a rink in Tewksbury and is friends with most of the TMHS players.

Mullin made it 2-0 with only seven seconds left in the first period (14:53), scoring a power play goal with assists to defensemen Dan Godefroi and Riki Retelle.

The AHS sharpshooter uncorked an accurate shot from a bad angle that found its way though the '5-hole' (goalie's leg pads).

The 2-0 score stood right up to Colin Brennan's bank shot into the open net with just 20 seconds left in the game (14:40 of the third).

Retelle collected his second assist of the game.

"It (Brennan's goal) was the play of the night for several reasons," said Martiniello.

Andover netminder Dan Abreu's solid 32-save shutout was his second of the season (4-0 Lincoln-Sudbury), and this marked the second time this winter Tewksbury had been blanked (2-0 by Lowell).

"Danny struggled a bit in the Haverhill game (5-4 loss on Jan. 6)," said Martiniello. "But since then he's been outstanding, He's buckled down and turned on the intensity.

"He's making the saves he needs to - giving us an opportunity to win."

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This game was stopped in progress and delayed on three separate occasions, totaling more than an hour in lost time, as two panes of glass were dislodged and the Zamboni (ice-cleaning machine) broke down.

Andover 2

Wakefield 1

In this first-ever boys' hockey meeting between the two schools, Tucker Mullin's power play goal with 1:18 left in the game was the difference as the Golden Warriors won yet another one-goal decision at the Valley Forum.

With Andover leading by a slim 1-0 score late in the third, Mullin skimmed the puck into an empty net at 13:42 of the final period only seconds after Wakefield pulled its goalie.

The power play tally, assisted by senior linemates P.J. Paonessa and Capt. Colin Brennan, came after Mullin turned at center ice and shifted the puck to his backhand.

With the goaltender still out, Wakefield notched its only goal 21 seconds later (14:03) to spoil Dan Abreu's shutout bid with only 57 seconds left.

Jim Beaton was the culprit with assists to Dan Flynn and Rich Brown.

AHS senior forward Dan Powers produced the first goal - snapping a scoreless tie with 63 seconds left in the second period (13:57).

This one was also on the power play, as junior forward Matt Perry dug the puck out of the corner and got it to Brennan.

Brennan spotted Powers alone in front of the Wakefield net and fed him a perfect pass.

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Abreu was the major difference with a sharp 32-save effort, Wakefield outshooting the locals 15-6, 9-7 and 9-6 for a wide 33-19 overall advantage.

"Wakefield came out fast and carried the play in the first period," said coach Martiniello. "We stood there and took the onslaught. Defensively we played well.

"Danny (Abreu) kept it tied, but even though they had 15 shots there were only one or two great scoring chances. It wasn't like he was diving all over the ice for spectacular stops. We forced them to shoot from bad angles and he made a couple of tough saves.

"We started to take control in the second period."

Martiniello lauded the play of junior defenseman Mike Taylor, who stepped in when All-Conference rearguard Dan Godefroi was out for two games.

"Taylor got a chance to play more with Danny on the sidelines," said the coach. "Not having Danny hurt us - but we were able to get a better look at some other defenseman and now we're more comfortable at that position."

Middlesex League member Wakefield, which nipped Burlington 1-0 in its next game on a goal with just 32 seconds left to play, is currently 5-5-1 overall.

BOYS GYMNASTICS

Senior all-around Andy O'Connell and junior Aaron Davidovits accounted for more than 96 points as the Andover High boys gymnastics team broke into the dual-meet win column with a 152.10 to 138.40 Eastern Mass. League victory over visiting Newton at the Dunn Gym.

The Golden Warriors, competing without O'Connell, also placed fifth in the annual eight-team Salem, N.H. Invitational.

Schedule

The locals have an EML tri-meet scheduled next Monday night at home, with Lowell and Attleboro coming to the Dunn Gym (7 p.m.).

The following night Andover travels to Salem, N.H. again, this time for a non-league inter-state dual meet (5 p.m.).

O'Connell ailing

Andover's record-shattering all-around performer sat out the Salem Invite with an undisclosed ailment.

He is expected to be ready for the Lowell/Attleboro meet on Monday.

Andover 152.10

Newton 138.40

AHS once again set a new single-meet scoring record on the way to the convincing win over the visitors.

Andy O'Connell chalked up a 48.95 all-around to finish second to Newton's Mike Brown.

O'Connell placed first in the vault with an 8.9 and on parallel bars with an 8.3.

He was second in each of the four remaining events with an 8.15 on pommel horse, 8.05 in floor exercise, 8.0 on rings and 7.5 on high bar.

"Andy wasn't feeling 100 percent or he probably would have topped 50 points," said AHS assistant coach Jack Gleason. "Whatever bug kept him out of the Salem meet started to affect him here."

Junior standout Davidovits was third all-around at 37.50, highlighted by third-place finishes in vault (8.2), parallel bars (6.55), rings (5.6) and high bar (5.0).

Freshman twin brothers Mark and Adam Vetere continued their strong work in floor exercise with an 8.1 and 8.0.

Freshman Chris Chu recorded a 6.0 in floor and senior Derek Schwarz registered a 5.3 on pommel horse.

Salem, N.H., Invitational

There were several notable individual efforts as the O'Connell-less Golden Warriors finished at 139.00 for fifth place in the team standings.

Braintree won the team title with a 179.60 score, followed by Burlington, Attleboro, Lowell and Andover. Host Salem, Newton and Revere rounded out the participants.

Leading the locals with fourth places were Adam Vetere on pommel horse (5.5) and Mark Vetere in vault (8.2).

Garnering fifths were Chris Chu on pommel horse (5.2) and Aaron Davidovits on parallel bars (6.8), while tied for sixth in vault were senior Rob Tornatore and Adam Vetere (both 7.9).

Davidovits competed all-around and posted a 36.5.

Joe Gianino of Burlington High was the AA champ (50.8) and Zach Aguiar of Lowell placed second (49.9).

GIRLS GYMNASTICS

The Andover High girls gymnastics team threw a mini-scare into reigning State and Merrimack Valley Conference champion Chelmsford - but the visiting Lions held on for a 2 1/2 point victory, 142.40 to 139.90, in dual-meet action at the Dunn Gym.

The meet most likely will determine the MVC titlist this winter, as undefeated Chelmsford improved to 4-0 league and 7-0 overall while previously-unbeaten AHS falls to 3-1 overall and in the MVC.

The locals also registered a 139.55 to 131.50 triumph over Methuen.

Schedule

The Lady Warriors return to the apparatus and mats tonight (Thursday) at the Dunn Gym, hosting MVC rival Billerica, and next Monday night Dual County League power Acton-Boxboro comes to town for what should be a close meet (both 7 p.m.).

Andover 139.55

Methuen 131.50

Jenn Quirnbach once again led the way, placing first in two of the four events and winning the all-around competition, as the Lady Warriors posted their highest score of the season and rolled past the host Rangers.

Quirnbach's 35.25 all-around total included a pair of victories in floor exercise (9.2) and on balance beam (9.05).

Kristen Coneeny was tops in the vault (9.0) and Stephanie Marble on the uneven bars (8.8).

Chelmsford 142.40

Andover 139.90

Stephanie Marble and Jenn Quirnbach had strong all-around meets for AHS, but the Lady Warriors simply had no answer for Chelmsford elite performer Ali Carr.

Marble finished third in the all-around competition with a solid 34.60 score, highlighted by a third on the uneven bars (9.1) and tie for fourth on balance beam (8.6).

Quirnbach was fourth at 33.35 which featured a 9.0 on bars for fourth place.

Contributing second places for Andover were Becky Robichaud on balance beam (8.9) and Kristen Coneeny in the vault (9.05).

Robichaud was also fourth in floor (9.15), while Renee Coiro was third on beam (8.7) and Lauren Colby tied for fourth on beam (8.6).

Andover's 139.90 score was a season high for the Lady Warriors.

The Lions' Carr - the unqualified difference in the meet - continued her amazing season with a 38.10 all-around.

She finished first on bars with a near-perfect school- and state-record 9.9 score, and completed a sweep of first place in all four events with a 9.7 in floor exercise, 9.5 in vault and 9.0 on balance beam.

ALPINE SKIING

After earlier warm temperatures and lack of snowfall kept delaying the beginning of the alpine ski season - the Andover High girls and boys teams finally opened recently and came out of the gate fast with two North Shore League victories each at Bradford Hill.

The boys blasted both Bishop Fenwick of Peabody, 133-2, and Haverhill, 115-20, while the girls swept both ends of a tri-meet against archrival North Andover, 78-57, and Austin Prep, 91-44.

The girls have won or shared the NSL regular season title four straight years - losing only one meet over that stretch.

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"The positive side of our season delay is I'm getting pretty good at typing e-mails with all the schedule changes and updates," noted AHS head coach Tom Busta. "It's water under the bridge now. Bradford has made a 'ton' of snow."

Schedule

The Lady Warriors are back on the slopes today (Thursday), continuing to make up for lost time with a jam-packed schedule that has them battling Masconomet Regional of Topsfield at Bradford (3:30 p.m.).

The boys met co-archrivals St. John's Prep of Danvers and North Andover earlier this week, after Townsman presstime.

"We need everyone to have the race of his life to beat those two teams," said Busta. "Anything can happen on race day."

Andover boys 133

Bishop Fenwick 2

In the near-shutout of Fenwick, the Golden Warriors swept the top eight places led by individual race winner Eric Heath whose run of 21.76 seconds nipped teammate Gavin Lynch at 21.81.

Capt. Jason Dashtpeyma took third (21.97), John Suglia and Peter Webster tied for fourth (22.00), and rounding out the leaders were Nathan Weiner (22.51), Wil Suglia (22.66) and Nick Binder (22.74).

Other pointscorers for AHS were Capt. Zack Zemlin, Sayo Maldari, Ryan Jimenez, Mike Reed, Greg James and Craig Nathan.

"Although we faced an undermanned Fenwick squad we skied very well as a team," noted coach Busta. "Eric Heath continues to improve. He puts in a lot of time and will only get better.

"After suffering an injury in dryland training - it was nice to see Gavin (Lynch) have a nice day. The delay helped his recovery.

"Captain Jason has been looking forward to this season all summer. Changing skis this year proved a good move for him."

Andover boys 115

Haverhill 20

The day after Fenwick AHS swept the top nine spots in the romp over Haverhill - with the closely-bunched nine separated by less than one second.

Heath was again the fastest with a 20.98-second run, with Lynch again runner-up in 21.13.

Peter Webster jumped up to third (21.29) and Ryan Gibbs was fourth (21.30).

Senior newcomer Gibbs earned himself a permanent spot on the varsity squad with his effort, according to coach Busta.

The next five skiers were just over a half-second behind as Jason Dashtpeyma crossed in 21.32, Wil Suglia 21.42, Nathan Weiner 21.50, John Suglia 21.83 and Nick Binder 21.87.

Also scoring were Matt Anderson, Zack Zemlin and Ryan Jimenez.

"The score doesn't reflect it, but we had a mini-letdown while our top two challengers, St. John's Prep and North Andover, skied very well," noted Busta.

Andover girls sweep

It was sweet revenge for the Lady Warriors against North Andover - which snapped the locals' lengthy win streak last winter.

"We've been waiting for this race since last year's loss," noted coach Busta. "We did what we could to get ready - but with the graduation of Michelle Guy (now racing for Syracuse University) and the lack of gate training I was cautiously optimistic before the race."

Not to worry.

Another Guy, sister Jackie, stepped right in and placed second overall in 22.13 to lead the winners.

Cayley Christopher finished fourth against North Andover in 22.37, and others in the top 10 were Capt. Colleen Heath (5th, 22.46), Capt. Cara Suglia (6th, 22.47), Carly Holstein (9th, 22.89) and freshman Katelyn Kearns (10th, 22.93).

"To see 'Little Guy,' Christopher, Heath and Suglia finish in the top 10 in the entire league for the day - within 4/10ths of one another - was very nice," noted Busta.

Kayla Fosse (12th, 23.25), Margaret Doherty (13th, 23.31) and Amanda Carrington (14th, 23.50) also scored versus the Scarlet Knights.

The above-mentioned girls nailed down nine of the top 13 spots against Austin Prep, while freshman Erin Christopher (14th, 23.71) and Julie Harker (15th, 23.86) completed the scorers in that win.

"The freshmen, Kearns and Christopher, are going to be fun to watch progress this year," noted Busta.