Thursday, February 1, 2007 Older Editions

AHS ROUNDUP: Down the home stretch

By Rick Harrison

The Andover High boys swim and dive team put the finishing touches on preparations for tomorrow's showdown meet with archrival Chelmsford by rolling to a convincing 99-82 Merrimack Valley Conference victory over host Haverhill at the White Natatorium.

Versatile sophomore Nick D'Innocenzo placed first in two events, including the 500 free which he swam for the first time this season, while freshman Paul Hunter and juniors Christian Bishop, Pete Saunders and Peter Li each won a race and competed on two victorious relays.

It was the fifth straight triumph for the Golden Warriors, their fourth in a row away from home, and boosted head coach Mark Taffe's crew to 6-1 overall and 3-0 in the MVC.

Chelmsford, which has dominated the conference by winning outright or sharing the dual-meet title in all but one year since the league was formed nearly two decades ago, is also 3-0 in MVC meets.

But the Lions, who shared the championship with Andover last year after the teams battled to a 93-93 tie in the season finale, appear more vulnerable this winter, with non-league losses to Boston College High by 17 points, and Acton-Boxboro by 15.

Andover, 17-1-1 in its last 19 duals, also lost to BC High 96-90, while beating Acton-Boxboro, 98-87.

That translates into a definite edge for the locals if you look at comparative scores.

"Comparative scores can sometimes be deceiving because it's all about the matchups from one meet to the next," said Taffe. "But it's interesting to see how Chelmsford did against those teams. It's encouraging for us - but we still have to perform to win."

AHS has the advantage of hosting - only the third home meet of the season and the first in a month (Jan. 3) - tomorrow (Friday) afternoon at the Greater Lawrence Vo-Tech pool (3:30 p.m.).

At presstime both teams were 100 percent healthy.

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Meanwhile, Merrimack Valley Conference Division 1 basketball couldn't be any more exciting or congested at the top - with both Andover teams in the middle of the maelstrom.

The girls title picture will be altered by the outcome of this Super Bowl Sunday afternoon's showdown battle between Andover and Lowell at the Red Raiders' Riddick Memorial Field House Abraham Gym.

Those two teams, who have split two games already this winter, are just one game apart.

Andover is locked in a two-way tie with Central Catholic atop MVC 1, while Lowell lurks one game back as time grows short and the schedule heads down the homestretch.

Tip-off time in Lowell is 1:30 p.m.

On the boys side Andover, Central Catholic and Lowell are all 8-2 as co-leaders in league play.

Thanks to the clairvoyant schedule-maker, that will all change very soon - with AHS hosting Central tomorrow night (Friday) at the Dunn Gym and then traveling to Lowell next Tuesday night (both 7:30).

BOYS SWIM & DIVE

The regular season wraps up with a non-league dual meet at Xaverian Brothers High in Westwood next week.

The MVC League Meet is set for next Friday (Feb. 9) at Haverhill's White Natatorium.

The North Sectionals will be at MIT in Cambridge on Feb. 17 and the State Meet at Harvard University's Blodgett Pool in Cambridge the following weekend.

Andover 99

Haverhill 82

Nick D'Innocenzo posted one of the state's fastest times in the 500-yard freestyle this year, touching in 4:53.31, and he also won the 100 breaststroke in 1:02.02.

"Nick probably won't swim the 500 in the bigger meets," said coach Taffe. "But we do have a backup plan that may involve him in the 500. That's why he did it today."

D'Innocenzo has posted a personal-best 500 time in the low 4-minute, 40-second range - producing that performance early last December before the high school season in a club meet held in New York.

Winning events against Haverhill in state-cut times were sophomore Mike Bakies, with a 52.93 clocking in the 100 free, and Christian Bishop with 59.16 in the 100 backstroke.

Other individual winners for the locals, who placed first in 11 of the 12 events, were Paul Hunter in the 200 free (1:54.80), Zach Hamer the 200 IM (2:14.62), Peter Li the 50 free (23.78) and Pete Saunders the 100 butterfly (58.64).

Bishop, Hamer, Saunders and Li formed the winning 200 medley relay (time unavailable).

Hunter, Li, sophomore Yubo Liu and Saunders were tops in the 200 free relay (1:37.35), and the victorious 400 free team included Bakies, senior Capt. Dave Espindle, Hunter and Bishop (time unavailable).

AHS was second in both the 200 medley with Espindle, D'Innocenzo, senior Capt. Kevin O'Donnell, Liu and the 200 free with junior Luke Delisio, sophomore Devon Mullen, Bakies and D'Innocenzo (1:40.21).

Sophomore Peter Wakeling, who has already qualified for the State Meet, placed second against Haverhill with 173.00 points.

Espindle was an individual runner-up in the 200 IM (2:14.83).

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Mullen finished third in the 100 free with a personal-best time of 54.86, while other thirds went to O'Donnell in both the 50 free (24.81) and 100 back (1:03.23), freshman Adam Millerick (200 free (2:07.91), junior Tom Demers (500 free, 5:58.70) and Hamer (100 breast, 1:08.14).

Third place in the 400 free relay went to the foursome of Mullen, sophomore Steve Moore, Delisio and Millerick (no time available).

Garnering fourths were freshman Peter Belanger (200 free, 2:14.12), Liu (50 free, 25.53) and junior Tim Russell in both the 500 free (5:59.14) and 100 breast (1:16.91).

Fifths were captured by freshman one-meter diver Brad Samuels (152.60 points), Moore (200 IM, 2:34.56) and junior Adam Kleger (100 back, 1:19.89).

Sixth-place finishers were freshman Colin Trepicchio (100 fly, 1:19.70) and Belanger (100 free, 1:04.39).

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Credit the Lady Warriors and their coaching staff for staying focused against Methuen and Haverhill.

It would have been very easy to get sidetracked by thoughts of this weekend's huge showdown game at Lowell on Super Bowl Sunday afternoon (1:30 p.m.).

Both Andover and Central Catholic are 9-1 in Merrimack Valley Conference Division 1 play, one game ahead of Lowell (8-2), while AHS stands 10-3 overall and Lowell is 11-2.

The recent wins over Methuen, 76-53, and Haverhill, 63-26, were enough to clinch another MIAA Division 1 North Tournament berth for coach Jim Tildsley's crew.

That makes it 12 straight tourney trips for Tildsley teams, and the AHS girls have now qualified 27 of the last 29 years.

Andover and Lowell, who could conceivably meet four times this winter, split their first two encounters.

Lowell knocked the Lady Warriors out of Christmas Tournament contention with a pulsating 62-61 semifinal round victory on Dec. 28 at Methuen.

AHS got even on Jan. 5, handing Lowell its first loss of the season, 68-57, at the Dunn Gym.

The Red Raiders, in addition to having the home-court advantage on Sunday, should be even hungrier after suffering a stunning 51-30 loss to Central Catholic on Tuesday that cost them a share of first place.

Lowell is expected to be back at 100 percent with injured players Meaghan Cavanaugh (ankle), Whitney Wilson (ankle) and Kara Rogers (back) all returning to the lineup within the last two weeks.

Cavanaugh, who missed five weeks after suffering a serious ankle injury over the Christmas holidays, returned Tuesday night versus Central and showed some expected rust while scoring only four points.

Schedule

Following the head-on collision with Lowell, Andover returns to action 48 hours later in a home game Tuesday night against struggling Chelmsford (3-12) at the Dunn Gym (7:30 p.m.).

The penultimate MVC contest is next Thursday night at Billerica (7:30, James Gym), followed by a non-leaguer at Somerville on Monday, Feb. 12 and a potential MVC championship showdown with Central Catholic on Feb. 14 at the Dunn.

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The inaugural four-team Warrior Classic, also featuring Archbishop Williams of Braintree and Rhode Island schools Ponagansett High and LaSalle Academy of Providence, is Feb. 18-19.

Scoring leaders

Laura Renfro remains the top scorer with 198 points through 13 games (15.2 ave.), followed by Meghan Thomann with 190, Maggie Cosgrove 130 and Lauren Hughes 92.

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Cosgrove now has 743 career points and Thomann 736.

Andover 76

Methuen 53

The Lady Warriors placed three players in double figures, raced out to a commanding 37-21 halftime lead, and never looked back on the way to a season-high 76-point eruption against host Methuen.

Leading the assault for Andover, which only faces the improved Rangers once this winter, were junior guard Laura Renfro with a game-high 19 points, Capt. Maggie Cosgrove 16 and junior forward Camille Fantini 14.

That trio accounted for 49 points, well over half the team's total, while junior guard Meghan Thomann tossed in eight, Ilana Cohen six, Lauren Hughes four and Amanda Fantini four.

Completing the charge were junior forward Kit Heinrich and junior guard Catherine LoMedico two points each, along with a free throw by Sarah LoMedico.

Also playing well for the locals were senior forward Kasey O'Dea, junior guard Kelly Driscoll and junior forward Jordy Shoemaker.

Andover 63

Haverhill 26

With 23 points, Meghan Thomann almost outscored the visiting Hillies by herself as the Lady Warriors' relentless, suffocating defense claimed another victim.

In completing a season series sweep of Haverhill (66-40 on Dec. 15), AHS held an opponent below 30 points for the third time and under 45 for the eighth game.

The locals pounded out to a prohibitive 32-9 lead at the half, and limited once-mighty Haverhill (8-6, 6-4 MVC) to a mere seven field goals in 32 minutes.

Nine players contributed to the scoring for Andover, including Laura Renfro and Maggie Cosgrove, who joined Thomann in double digits with 12 and 11 points respectively.

Ilana Cohen tossed in six points, Kasey O'Dea and Catherine LoMedico netted three each, Sarah LoMedico and Jordy Shoemaker had a field goal apiece, and Amanda Fantini converted a free throw.

Five players (Renfro, Cosgrove, Thomann, O'Dea, Cohen) had three-pointers.

It was the fifth victory in six games for the locals since the back-to-back Christmas Tournament losses by a total of three points.

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Last week's Baystate Financial Services Player of the Fortnight award winner is Jordy Shoemaker.

Coach Jim Tildsley praises Shoemaker as a total team player. "Jordy is an important part of our team. When she comes off the bench, she makes a real contribution defensively, and her offense continues to get better. She's a very good practice player and an enthusiastic teammate who's one of our most improved players. She works hard, and she helps our starters improve, too."

This week's recipient is Tristian Shannon. Coach Dave Fazio is enthusiastic about the great progress in Shannon's game this year. "Shannon has improved a great deal. And while his offense has been very good, we are hoping that his defensive play in the weeks ahead will also come up to the high standards he has set. We are hoping he'll continue to make real progress on his defense, for the good of the team. Shannon's best game was against Brockton, so we all know what he can do. He's a great kid, and we hope he continues to improve."

BOYS BASKETBALL

Proving it can win no matter what the style of play, the Andover High boys varsity basketball team scored a season-low 46 points but held visiting J.D. O'Bryant of Boston to 44 on the way to a two-point triumph at the Dunn Gym.

Tuesday night the locals came back with a more up-tempo 64-56 Merrimack Valley Conference Division 1 victory at Haverhill - a win that helped pull AHS into a three-way tie for first place in the conference thanks to a 57-47 Lowell triumph over Central Catholic.

Those results left sizzling Andover, sizzling Lowell and Central all at 8-2 in MVC 1.

The Golden Warriors have now won five straight - and the O'Bryant game marked the third time in that five-game stretch and seventh occasion this season AHS had held an opponent to 46 or fewer points.

Only two teams - Central Catholic and Lowell - have topped the 60-point mark against coach Dave Fazio's stingy squad.

Andover improved to 12-3 overall with the recent wins.

Schedule

The next 11 days will decide the Merrimack Valley Conference Division 1 championship - as the top four teams all collide in a series of head-to-head showdowns.

Andover hosts Central Catholic tomorrow night at the Dunn, plays at Lowell High next Tuesday night and hosts Lawrence one week from Tuesday (Feb. 13). All league games tip off at 7:30 p.m.

There is also a rugged non-leaguer next Friday night at B.C. High (7 p.m.).

Scoring leaders

Ian Dempsey leads the pack through 15 games with 271 points (18.1 ave.), followed by Tristian Shannon at 184, Derrick Beasley 92, Chris Abreu and Greg Cook 68 each.

Andover 46

J.D. O'Bryant 44

The Golden Warriors - who back away from no one - passed another stiff non-league challenge from an inner-city O'Bryant squad that came to town with an 11-3 overall record.

Both teams managed only 14 field goals in the game, while AHS outscored the visitors 15-12 at the free throw line.

Andover clawed to a 23-18 halftime advantage and clung to a slender lead throughout the tug-of-war second half dominated by defense and rough shooting.

Ian Dempsey paced the locals with 14 points and Tristian Shannon also hit double digits with 12 points.

Junior guard Derrick Beasley, Capt. Gordon DuBois and junior forward Chris Abreu contributed four points each, junior guard Sam Hutchins nailed a three-pointer, senior guard Jason Perry converted three free throws and solo charities were notched by junior forwards Peter White and Zach Burdeau.

Andover 64

Haverhill 56

Haverhill, which can be a bear in its own gym, never let the Golden Warriors breathe easy.

The Hillies (7-9), edged by AHS 59-55 back on Dec. 15 at the Dunn Gym, trailed only 29-24 at the break and remained within striking distance to keep things uncomfortable for the locals.

A big factor for Fazio's Five was the balanced scoring, with four players hitting double figures led by Ian Dempsey and Tristian Shannon with 14 points apiece.

Junior swingman Greg Cook tossed in 12 points and Derrick Beasley added 10.

Peter White pumped in five points, Chris Abreu four, Jason Perry three and Zach Burdeau notched a pair of free throws.

AHS outscored Haverhill 22-18 at the free throw line, with Dempsey taking advantage of tight coverage to collect nine of his points at the stripe including some big ones down the stretch.

ALPINE SKI

It was a mixed bag of results for the Andover High alpine skiers recently, the girls winning two of three meets and the boys capturing just one of five in North Shore League action on the slopes at Bradford Hill.

The girls are currently 4-1 overall and the boys are 3-4, including double losses to both undefeated St. John's Prep (7-0) and once-beaten North Andover (6-1).

Andover boys

The Golden Warriors dropped both ends of a tri-meet against archrivals North Andover and St. John's Prep of Danvers, the Scarlet Knights prevailing, 78-57, and the Eagles, 86-49.

"North Andover was there for the taking - with one of their top guys going down," said AHS head coach Tom Busta. "Unfortunately two of our skiers also fell. We need to ski perfectly in order to beat them."

Placing top 10 for AHS against both opponents were Eric Heath (22.14 run), third versus NA and fourth against SJP, along with Gavin Lynch (22.47), Peter Webster and John Suglia (both 22.62).

Also scoring by finishing top 15 were Nathan Weiner (22.70), Nick Binder (22.89), Matt Anderson (23.04) and Wil Suglia (23.09).

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The locals had a chance to avenge both defeats Tuesday afternoon, the second time around against these two NSL powers, but fell again 76-59 to St. John's and 79-56 to North Andover.

Andover boys 95

Masconomet 40

AHS bounced back after the double dip, grabbing eight of the top 10 places on the way to victory over the Chieftains.

Gavin Lynch and Peter Webster were 1-2 with close runs of 22.40 and 22.52, while Jason Dashtpeyma placed fourth (22.82) and John Suglia fifth (22.84).

Completing the top 10 were Eric Heath (7th, 22.89), Wil Suglia (8th, 23.42), Sam Dempsey (9th, 23.45) and Nathan Weiner (10th, 23.49).

Also scoring for the victors were Nick Binder (14th, 23.73) and Zack Zemlin (15th, 23.77).

"Gavin and Peter had nice runs on a tough course, but we still haven't put it together as a team," said Busta. "When we do that we can beat anybody.

"Sophomore Sam Dempsey, just up from the JV team, continues to work hard and it's paying off for him."

Andover girls 110

Masconomet 25

The locals swept the top five places to key the win, with Jackie Guy (21.85) and Cara Suglia (21.88) just an eyelash apart in the 1-2 positions.

Following in order were Carly Holstein (22.37), Colleen Heath (22.68) and Cayley Christopher (22.70).

Also placing top 10 were Katelynn Kearns (7th, 22.91), Margaret Doherty (8th, 23.08) and Kayla Fosse (9th, 23.12).

Rounding out the AHS scorers were Claire Shapiro (11th, 23.14), Erin Christopher (12th, 23.35) and Julie Harker (15th, 23.49).

"Despite the score our girls realize they did not ski to their potential. We all need to step it up to beat North Andover," said coach Busta. "If we get back to the way we skied in the first race (sweep of North Andover and Austin), we should be OK."

Andover girls split

Four days after Masco the Lady Warriors did come up just short against North Andover, as the Scarlet Knights avenged a season-opening 78-57 loss to Andover with a taut 69-66 triumph.

The locals salvaged a split of the tri-meet with a 93-42 triumph over Austin Prep of Reading.

"We were 2/100ths of a second away from a win against North Andover," explained coach Busta. "It's like losing on a half-court shot by the other team that goes in at the buzzer.

"One very bright spot was Colleen Heath's finish, sixth overall for the day throughout the league and third against both North Andover and Austin. She has worked hard all year."

Jackie Guy once again had Andover's best run with a 22.06 for second place against both opponents. Heath was third at 22.13.

Other point producers versus NA were Cara Suglia (6th, 22.50), Carly Holstein (9th, 22.58), Cayley Christopher (10th, 22.64), Katelynn Kearns (12th, 22.85), Margaret Doherty (13th, 23.07) and Kayla Fosse (15th, 23.33).

Suglia was 5th, Holstein 6th, Christopher 7th, Kearns 9th, Doherty 10th and Fosse 11th against Austin.

Also scoring versus AP were Julie Harker (12th, 23.49), Claire Shapiro (14th, 23.63) and Erin Christopher (15th, 23.91).

"Hopefully we'll peak at Interscholastics and States," said Busta. "We still have four more regular season races to work on it."

GIRLS ICE HOCKEY

Freshman sharpshooter Sarah Oteri netted her third hat trick of the season, the defensive corps registered its third straight shutout, and like a snowball rolling downhill the thundering Andover High girls varsity hockey team continued to pick up momentum with a recent 8-0 romp over Greater Boston/Merrimack Valley Conference rival Everett at Veterans Memorial Rink in Everett.

The game - which also featured a numbers of "firsts" - qualified AHS for the MIAA State Tournament for the sixth straight year while boosting the overall record to 10-1-1.

The Lady Warriors, who will compete in Division 1 of the tourney this season, also extended their GBL/MVC record to 7-1 as they kept pace with co-leader Arlington High (10-2, 8-1 league).

The third consecutive shutout - and fifth 2006-07 whitewash overall - stretched the string of consecutive scoreless minutes to 152 and dropped the team goals-against average to a miniscule 0.92 with 11 goals allowed in the first 12 games.

Andover outscored its first 12 opponents by a healthy 42-12 margin.

Among the aforementioned "firsts" were the first solo shutout at the varsity level for sophomore goaltender Rachel Bergan, first varsity goal for eighth-grader Alicia Nader, first goal this season for Becky Johnson and first points for Katie Shields and Janette Doucette.

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"The younger girls are starting to get fired up," said coach Bill McCarthy. "I couldn't be happier for Rachel (Bergan) and Alicia (Nader).

"Everyone is excited to be in the tourney again and to have that (qualification) behind us. The girls are in great spirits and the attitude is the best it's been all season.

"And having the goals-against below 1.00 is pretty impressive," added McCarthy.

Schedule

"The toughest part of the schedule is ahead of us. There are still four or five really good teams to play," said McCarthy.

The grind started last night (Wednesday), after Townsman presstime, when non-league power Wilmington (13-1 record) hit the ice at Phillips Academy's Harrison Rink for the penultimate home game.

Six of the seven remaining regular season games are on the road, beginning with a league contest Saturday night against Waltham (7 p.m.) at the Lady Hawks' MDC Veterans Memorial Rink.

Next week the locals play former state champ Westford Academy in a non-leaguer at the Groton School rink Wednesday night (6 p.m.), and then travel to Arlington for the league title showdown against the Spy Ponders on Saturday night at Veterans Memorial Rink in Arlington (5:45 p.m.).

The first time around this winter AHS edged Waltham, 2-0, trimmed Westford, 4-1, and suffered its only loss to Arlington, 4-1.

The regular season finale on Feb. 22 is at Northeastern University's Matthews Arena against Dual County League power Boston Latin, currently ranked among the top teams in EMass. Division 1.

Scoring leaders

Sarah Oteri, who has three hat tricks, continued to head the scoring parade with 15 goals and eight assists for 23 points through the first 12 games (not including Wilmington).

Becky Cairns was close behind with nine goals, 10 assists and Heather Paonessa had six goals, seven assists.

Rounding out the leaders with nine points each were Laura Drew (four goals, five assists) and Nicole Giroux (two goals, seven assists).

Andover 8

Everett 0

The eight goals were a single-game season high, surpassing the previous best of five against both Billerica (5-0) and Everett (5-1) the first time around.

Sarah Oteri wasted little time scoring the only goal necessary just 50 seconds into the game, and fellow freshman forward Nicole Giroux made it 2-0 less than three minutes later (3:42).

Capt. Becky Cairns assisted on both goals, while sophomore defender Danielle Paonessa also helped on the first tally and Oteri on the second.

The lead doubled to 4-0 after second-period goals by Oteri, from Cairns and Giroux at 1:52, and sophomore forward Heather Paonessa from Capt. Alison Burns and 8th grader Laura Drew at 13:40.

The locals once again doubled the advantage with four third-period goals.

"In no way were we trying to run up the score," said McCarthy. "It was just an excellent overall effort where everyone hit the ice and contributed."

The last three goals were netted by players who had scored only once among them to that point.

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Oteri completed her third hat trick with a power play goal at 1:08, Cairns collecting her fourth assist of the game and Danielle Paonessa her second.

"We changed the power play a little - and we still have more tweaking to do," said McCarthy. "Tonight we created more opportunities with the advantage."

Alicia Nader got into the act at 9:56 with her first goal, the setups to Giroux and Oteri who wrapped up a five-point evening.

"Alicia has great hands and hockey sense," said McCarthy. "It was just a matter of time before she scored."

Another eighth-grader, Lea Macheras, pocketed her second goal of the season exactly one minute later (10:56) with Heather Paonessa and Drew helping out.

Capt. Becky Johnson, a senior blueliner, capped the attack at 13:27 with her first goal from sophomore forwards Katie Shields and Janette Doucette.

Rachel Bergan's shutout featured 10 saves as AHS finished with a wide 35-10 shooting edge.

Veteran Jessica Westgate made 27 stops in net for the Crimson Tide.

BOYS ICE HOCKEY

The Andover High boys varsity hockey team maintained its place atop the Merrimack Valley/Dual County League Division 2 standings with a convincing 5-0 whitewash of Boston Latin in recent play at Northeastern University's Matthews Arena in Boston.

That triumph boosted the Golden Warriors to 5-1 in league games, one point ahead of Tewksbury (4-1-1), while overall AHS was 8-4-1 after 13 games.

Coach Mario Martiniello's crew also played MV/DCL 1 frontrunner Central Catholic tough, dropping a 3-2 decision after the Raiders netted a pair of late goals to escape.

The loss to Central Catholic was Andover's seventh game decided by one goal this season. The locals are 4-3 in those games.

Entering last night's contest, Andover was just three points shy of snagging a Division 2 North Tournament berth.

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Goaltender Dan Abreu had two shutouts in the last three games, prior to last night, and three for the season.

Overall Andover outscored the opposition, 43-25, during the first 13 games.

Schedule

The Golden Warriors played Division 3 Lowell (8-5 record) last night (Wednesday), after Townsman presstime, at Tsongas Arena, which is home ice for the Lowell Devils AHL professional team.

Last night also marked the anticipated return to the AHS lineup of second leading scorer John Hyslip (broken arm).

Saturday night it's back to crucial MV/DCL Division 2 play against Lincoln-Sudbury at Valley Sports Arena in West Concord (7:40 p.m.).

Two more key division games are on tap next week, home versus Haverhill (Wednesday, 7 p.m.) and at Methuen (Saturday, 1 p.m.).

AHS blanked Lincoln-Sudbury the first time around, 4-0, edged Methuen, 3-2, and lost to Haverhill, 5-4.

Scoring leaders

Tucker Mullin led the way after 13 games with 16 goals, 15 assists for 31 points.

Despite his injury, John Hyslip remained second at 8-8-16 followed by Colin Brennan at 6-9-15, P.J. Paonessa 5-5-10 and Dan Godefroi 0-10-10.

Central Catholic 3

Andover 2

The Golden Warriors gave the strongest team in the league all it could handle, carrying a 2-1 lead into the final six minutes of the game.

"Central has been on a season-long roll (8-1-2) and our guys played a great game against them," said coach Martiniello. "They've beaten a lot of teams up - physically and on the scoreboard - but we went toe-to-toe with them.

"Our kids came to play and there's no shame in working hard and losing to a team like Central. It was a tough defeat - but because of the effort we can't be too upset."

The teams skated through a scoreless first period, and Central drew first blood two minutes into the second stanza on a goal by Cam Fisichelli.

Tucker Mullin tied it just 27 seconds later with an unassisted goal, intercepting a pass in the CCHS zone, stepping into the slot and firing the puck past Raiders' goaltender Mike Alesse.

"It was a tremendous individual effort by Tucker," said Martiniello. "He made the cut to get free and then placed the shot perfectly."

Colin Brennan gave the locals a 2-1 lead at the 7-minute mark of the middle frame, connecting on the power play with assists to Mullin and defenseman Dan Godefroi.

Central's tying and winning goals, at 9:39 and 12:05 of the third period, were scored by Andover resident and CCHS student Kevin McCarron.

McCarron's tying goal came with 5:21 to play.

"We had a hard time getting the puck out of our zone - and the shot ricocheted off an Andover defensemen's skate and through the '5-hole' (goalie's legs)," said Martiniello.

The game-winner occured on the power play with 2:55 remaining.

"They worked the puck around very well for an open shot," said Martiniello. "There wasn't much Danny (goaltender Abreu) could do about it."

Central finished with a 41-28 shooting edge, including 15-6 in the pivotal third period, with Abreu looking very sharp and keeping it close by making a season-high 38 saves.

Andover 5

Boston Latin 0

The locals almost duplicated their season-opening 5-1 win over Latin at the Valley Forum, breaking open a scoreless tie in the second period and riding the 12-save shutout goaltending of Dan Abreu.

Colin Brennan continued his consistent play with two goals, while senior forward John Cahill netted his first of the season and other tallies were contributed by senior forward Dan Powers and junior forward Matt Perry (also his first).

Tucker Mullin, sophomore forward Cam Smith and soph defenseman Riki Retelle passed out two assists each. Dan Godefroi and junior forward C.J. Shea, with his first point of the season, helped set up one goal apiece.

The locals, who finished with a 39-12 shooting edge, broke the game open with three second-stanza goals.