Thursday, February 8, 2007 Older Editions

AHS ROUNDUP: Showdowns looming

By Rick Harrison

It was another classic battle between two of the strongest girls basketball teams in Eastern Massachusetts Division 1, with a buzzer-beating basket by junior guard Ashley Rivera lifting host Lowell High to a 51-49 victory over Andover in the latest of several recent Merrimack Valley Conference first-place showdowns.

That crucial setback cost AHS its share of first place in MVC 1 and set up another huge clash with Central Catholic next Wednesday night at the Dunn Gym - where the Lady Warriors are undefeated at 6-0 this winter with an average victory margin of 29 points.

Tuesday night at the Dunn Gym AHS bounced back crisply, toppling visiting Chelmsford, 69-49, in a game that was over early and only as close as 20 points because of liberal substituting by the locals.

Andover and Lowell - the latter suffering a crushing 51-30 loss to Central recently before also rebounding to trim Haverhill Tuesday night - are currently 10-2 in conference play with two league games left for both.

Central Catholic stands alone at the top, a half-game ahead with a 10-1 MVC mark and three remaining MVC games.

The Lady Warriors are 11-4 overall with the four losses by a total of nine points, one- and two-point setbacks to Lowell (62-61 and 51-49), two points to reigning New Hampshire Class L state champ Pinkerton Academy (50-48) and four points to Central (65-61).

If Andover can beat Billerica tonight (Thursday) at BMHS (7:30 p.m.) in the penultimate conference contest, and topple Central next Wednesday night at the Dunn (7:30) in the finale, the locals will do no worse than earn a share of the MVC title.

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"We've got to win a close game against a good team to prove to ourselves we can do it," said head coach Jim Tildsley. "Whenever we get together with Lowell or Central - the three of us are so evenly-matched it's always a great game.

"We've executed well in every game against those guys this season - but you also need a little luck in the tight ones and we haven't had that yet.

"Overall I'm happy with the way we're playing," added Tildsley. "The starters are doing well - and could go forever if necessary.

"But we need consistently good minutes off the bench to give them a break and get some fresh bodies on the floor. Catherine (LoMedico) has been strong in the reserve role - along with Jordy (Shoemaker) and Ilana (Cohen)."

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Tildsley's crew has qualified for the Division 1 North Tournament 12 straight years, and the AHS girls have also qualified 27 of the last 29 seasons.

Tildsley's overall won-lost record at AHS to date is now 233-39.

Schedule

Andover plays a non-leaguer next Monday night at Somerville High (7 p.m.).

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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 and Meghan Thomann are co-high scorers with 217 points each through 15 games (14.5 ave.), followed by Maggie Cosgrove with 158 and Lauren Hughes 125.

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Cosgrove now has 771 career points and Thomann 763.

Lowell 51

Andover 49

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

Lowell knocked the Lady Warriors out of Christmas Tournament contention with a taut 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 in Round 3 of this rivalry, were even hungrier after suffering the stunning 51-30 loss to Central Catholic just five days earlier that cost them a share of first place.

Lowell was back at 100 percent with injured players Meaghan Cavanaugh (ankle), Whitney Wilson (ankle) and Kara Rogers (back) all returning to the lineup and slowly rounding back into peak form.

"It was another great game for the fans to watch," said Tildsley. "Neither team had more than a five-point lead at any time.

"Lowell's front court players are so big they give us trouble - but we didn't back down and I'm happy with the way we fought for everything.

"Hopefully we'll face them again in the tournament."

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This was only the second time this winter Andover was held below 50 points (48 versus Pinkerton Academy), with Lowell matching the locals stop-for-stop at the defensive end.

Ripping a page out of the Lady Warriors' book - Lowell played tenacious in-your-face 'D' and kept the always-dangerous AHS three-point shooters to just two connections (by Laura Renfro) which both came in the final 10 minutes.

"They're the best shooting team in the state and they run a great motion offense to free up their shooters," said Lowell head coach Mike Crowley. "Our goal was to switch (defensively) on screens and cut down on the open shots."

This game was predictably close from opening tip to final buzzer, with several lead changes in the first half that ended with the Red Raiders enjoying a slender 24-22 advantage.

With 19.1 seconds to play in the game and the score knotted 49-49, Lowell took a timeout and put the ball in junior guard Ashley Rivera's hands.

She drove to the hoop for the winning bucket with less than five seconds remaining.

The Lady Warriors did get off a three-pointer at the buzzer - which would have won the game - but it was well beyond the trifecta arc and understandably off target.

"Laura (Renfro) made a three-pointer that rimmed out near the end - and Meghan (Thomann) had a good look on the final three. It was way out there but still within her range," said Tildsley. "No complaints."

AHS junior center Lauren Hughes led all scorers with a game-high 14 points, including a clutch 15-foot baseline jumper in the closing minute that gave the locals a 48-47 lead before Lowell's Whitney Wilson swished two free throws.

Hughes also pulled down 10 rebounds in a solid all-around performance.

"Lauren was immense," lauded Tildsley. "She was 7-for-8 from the floor and nailed some huge baskets."

Also in double figures were Meghan Thomann with 12 points (10 free throws) and Capt. Maggie Cosgrove 11 points.

Thomann contributed seven rebounds, six assists, three steals and Cosgrove had six boards, four assists.

Rounding out the AHS scorers were Renfro with eight points and Camille Fantini four, while Renfro also had five rebounds, three assists.

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Rivera and sophomore center Brianna Wilson shared team-high honors for Lowell with 12 points each, Wilson netting 10 of hers in the first half and also corralling seven boards.

Kelley Rogers added eight points and Christine McCall had five points, six rebounds.

Andover 69

Chelmsford 49

Three players hit double figures as the locals shrugged off the Lowell loss and rolled.

Maggie Cosgrove finished with 17 points, nine assists and six steals in just 21 minutes of floor time.

Meghan Thomann was close behind with 15 points, five rebounds and four assists, while Laura Renfro contributed 11 points, five boards, two assists and two steals in 20 minutes. Three of Renfro's field goals were her 39th, 40th and 41st treys.

Renfro nailed three consecutive trifectas as the locals moved out to an early 13-3 lead.

Cosgrove followed with a pair of threes, and a Lauren Hughes jumper made it 21-5.

It was 36-20 with four minutes left in the half, 40-26 at the break and the lead swelled to 24 at 51-27 after an 11-1 run to open the second half.

Hughes finished with nine points, four rebounds and two assists.

Camille Fantini tossed in five points and added five boards, three assists.

Ilana Cohen pocketed four points, Sarah LoMedico and Amanda Fantini three each and Kelly Driscoll notched a bucket.

Amanda Fantini also had 6 rebounds and an assist.

For Chelmsford, a 69-28 loser against AHS the first time around on Jan. 11, senior guard Hayley Comeau was immense with 22 points, 12 rebounds and six assists.

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This week's recipient of the Baystate Financial Services Player of the Fortnight award is Sarah LoMedico. Coach Jim Tildsley has great things to say about LoMedico's contributions to the team.

"As a senior who has been in our program for a couple of years, LoMedico has been used to starring in another sport, soccer. Yet she has accepted her role on this team very well - she's a quality substitute who has been playing well, and she pushes our starters hard every day in practice. LoMedico has a very positive attitude, and she makes a real contribution to our team."

The next award, this time to a boys team player, will be announced next week.

BOYS SWIM & DIVE

They made it look easy.

With three underclassmen - junior Christian Bishop, sophomore Nick D'Innocenzo and freshman Paul Hunter - placing first in two events each the Andover High boys swim and dive team slammed Chelmsford convincingly, 97-83, in their Merrimack Valley Conference dual-meet showdown at the Greater Lawrence Vo-Tech pool.

The leave-no-doubt-who-is-best victory was only the second for the Golden Warriors over Chelmsford in the history of the two programs (they have also tied twice), and it gave AHS its second outright MVC title (two others have been shared with Chelmsford).

"Everyone swam well and we turned in a solid overall team performance," said a satisfied AHS head coach Mark Taffe matter-of-factly. "The only real surprise was sweeping two events (200 free, 100 backstroke). We didn't expect that and it was a huge development."

Andover also wrapped up its dual-meet season Tuesday afternoon with a 98-83 non-league win over Xaverian High of Westwood at the Dedham Town Pool.

The MVC champs' sixth and seventh straight triumphs enabled Andover to finish the conference schedule at a perfect 4-0, while overall the locals closed at 8-1 and are now 19-1-1 in their last 21 dual meets spanning two full seasons and part of a third.

Schedule

Tomorrow (Friday) AHS will be favored to capture the annual five-team Merrimack Valley Conference Championship Meet at Haverhill's White Natatorium (3:30 p.m.).

Other schools are Lowell, Central Catholic, Chelmsford and host Haverhill.

The North Sectionals are Saturday, Feb. 17 at M.I.T. in Cambridge, and because of a scheduling conflict the season-ending State Meet has been switched to Thursday, Feb. 22 at Harvard University's Blodgett Pool (6 p.m.).

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Among the teams AHS should be battling with for Sectional and State honors are St. John's Prep of Danvers, Weston, BC High (only dual-meet loss), Acton-Boxboro and Chelmsford.

"St. John's is 'jacked' (loaded) again, Weston has won some state titles and is always tough - and BC High already showed us its strength in the dual meet," said coach Taffe. "St. John's and Weston should be the favorites."

Andover 97

Chelmsford 83

The MVC champs placed first in 11 of the 12 events, including all three relays, with Bishop and D'Innocenzo making it four victories overall in this meet by swimming on two relays each while Hunter competed on one winner.

Bishop picked up his individual triumphs in the 200-yard freestyle (1:54.37) and 500 free (5:09.21).

D'Innocenzo touched first in the 200 IM (2:01.15) and 100 breaststroke (1:03.65).

Hunter continued to impress with victories in the 100 free (51.62) and 100 backstroke (58.59).

Bishop and D'Innocenzo both swam on the victorious 200 and 400 free relays, joining sophomore Yubo Liu and junior Peter Li on the 200 squad (1:36.15) and junior Peter Saunders with Hunter on the 400 quartet (3:35.09).

Saunders added a win in the 100 butterfly (57.39) and Li was tops in the 50 free (23.49).

The 200 medley relay of senior Capt. Dave Espindle, junior Zach Hamer, Saunders and junior Tim Russell got the meet off to a successful start with a victory in 1:47.19.

Completing the sweeps for AHS were sophomores Mike Bakies (1:54.96) and Devon Mullen (2:00.29) in the 200 free, Espindle (1:01.61) and senior Capt. Kevin O'Donnell (1:03.40) in the 100 back.

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Other runners-up for the Golden Warriors were Saunders (50 free, 23.53), Li (100 free, 53.06), Hamer (100 breast, 1:07.94) and the 400 free relay of sophomore Steve Moore, Mullen, Espindle and anchorman Bakies (3:42.50).

Also third were Hamer (200 IM, 2:14.55), Bakies (500 free, 5:13.68) and freshman one-meter diver Brad Samuels.

In the only event Andover did not win, Samuels scored 172.00 points to qualify for the North Sectionals.

Third-place relays were the 200 medley foursome of Hunter, Russell, O'Donnell and Liu (1:53.72), along with the 200 free crew of Mullen, Moore, junior Luke Delisio and Bakies (1:40.12).

Earning fourths were Liu (200 IM, 2:19.14), O'Donnell (50 free, 24.31), Espindle (100 fly, 1:02.72) and Mullen (100 free, 55.14).

Peter Wakeling was fifth in the diving, Liu fifth in the 100 fly (1:02.72) and freshman Adam Millerick fifth in the 500 free (5:50.31).

Russell posted a sixth in the 100 breast (1:16.13).

Andover 98

Xaverian 83

The Golden Warriors placed first in eight events and had double individual victories once again by Nick D'Innocenzo and Paul Hunter.

There were also notable performances by senior Capt. Kevin O'Donnell and Devon Mullen.

"O'Donnell made his first state-cut in his final opportunity to do so - the last dual-meet race (100 backstroke) of his high school career," said coach Taffe. "And Mullen broke two minutes in the 200 free - one of those barriers we're always happy to see fall."

O'Donnell's 1:01.49 in the 100 back was a personal-best and good enough for fourth place in the meet, while Mullen's 1:59.81 in the 200 free completed a top-three sweep of that event for AHS.

D'Innocenzo's victories came in the 100 breaststroke, where he posted a personal-best 1:00.65 time, and the 200 IM (2:02.59).

Hunter continued his outstanding rookie season by touching first in both the 200 free (1:54.03) and 100 free (52.00).

Other individual race winners were Peter Saunders in the 100 butterfly (56.00) and Christian Bishop the 500 free (5:13.47).

Two relay teams were victorious, the 200 free quartet of Saunders, Peter Li, Hunter, D'Innocenzo (1:38.12) and the 400 free foursome of Bishop, Hunter, Mike Bakies and anchor D'Innocenzo (3:39.65).

Those wins gave both D'Innocenzo and Hunter four top spots overall in the meet.

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For the first time this season the locals did not win the meet-opening 200 medley relay, with the team of Dave Espindle, Zach Hamer, Saunders and Li a close second to Xaverian (1:47.50).

Saunders also finished second in the 50 free sprint (23.85), while other AHS runners-up were Bakies in both the 200 free (1:56.44) and 500 free (5:19.27), Hamer (200 IM, 2:15.29) and Li (100 free, 52.10).

Second-place relays were the 200 free squad of Mullen, Yubo Liu, Steve Moore, Bakies (1:39.82) and the 400 free contingent of Moore, Mullen, Liu and Luke Delisio (3:43.85).

Finishing third were Li (50 free, 24.02), Espindle (100 fly, 1:02.56), Mullen to complete a sweep of the 100 free (56.15), Bishop (100 back, 1:00.44), Hamer (100 breast, 1:09.35) and one-meter diver Peter Wakeling (170.03 points).

Brad Samuels was unable to compete in the diving because he was out sick.

"I knew it (flu) would catch up to us eventually," said Taffe. "We've been pretty lucky to this point."

Rounding out the relayers with a third was the 200 medley crew of Bishop, Tim Russell, O'Donnell and Delisio (1:54.70).

Placing fourth for the MVC champs were Liu (200 IM, 2:17.55), Tom Demers (500 free, 5:59.09) and O'Donnell.

O'Donnell added a fifth in the 50 free (24.32), while Liu was fifth in the 100 fly (1:04.39) and Russell in the 100 breast (1:18.15).

BOYS ICE HOCKEY

The Andover High boys varsity hockey team stretched its win streak through three games, qualified for the MIAA Division 2 North Tournament and kept its slim lead atop Division 2 of the Merrimack Valley/Dual County League with recent victories over Boston Latin (5-0), Lowell (5-1) and Lincoln-Sudbury (1-0).

Those results boosted the Golden Warriors to 6-1 in league games, one point ahead of Tewksbury (5-1-1), while overall AHS was 10-4-1 after 15 games.

The win over L-S was Andover's eighth game this season decided by one goal. The locals are now 5-3 in those games.

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Goaltender Dan Abreu had three shutouts in the last five games, prior to last night (Wednesday) against Haverhill, and four for the season.

Stingy Andover had allowed only five goals in the last six games, entering last night, and outscored the opposition 49-26 over the first 15 games.

Schedule

Two more key division games are on tap this week, home at the Valley Forum versus Haverhill last night (Wednesday) after Townsman presstime and at Methuen High Saturday afternoon (1 p.m.).

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

Scoring leaders

Tucker Mullin led the way after 15 games with 19 goals, 17 assists for 36 points.

Despite his injury, John Hyslip remained second at 10-9-19, followed by Colin Brennan at 6-12-18, P.J. Paonessa 5-6-11, Riki Retelle 1-10-11 and Dan Godefroi 0-11-11.

Andover 1

Lincoln-Sudbury 0

The Golden Warriors blanked host L-S for the second time this season (4-0 on Jan. 3) and extended their recent string of defensive gems.

Senior goaltender Dan Abreu had to be perfect in this first 1-0 game of the winter, stopping all 24 shots he faced as the locals managed a slim 28-24 shooting edge in the MV/DCL 2 contest at Valley Sports Arena in West Concord.

Junior center John Hyslip, in just his second game back after a broken arm sidelined him for three weeks, netted the first and game-winning goal in the opening period with assists to sophomore defenseman Riki Retelle and All-Conference blueliner Dan Godefroi.

The Lincoln-Sudbury Warriors, who have played everyone tough this season, fell to 7-5-2 overall.

Andover 5

Lowell 1

Senior right wing and Capt. Tucker Mullin figured in all the scoring, producing his third hat trick of the season and setting up the other two goals, as the Golden Warriors notched the MV/DCL inter-division victory on enemy ice at the Tsongas Arena in Lowell.

As advertised, John Hyslip returned to the lineup for the first time in three weeks after suffering a broken arm against Billerica on Jan. 10.

He looked right at home, assisting on the second goal and scoring the third.

"Tucker Mullin was his usual self - factoring in all the goals - and Hyslip started on the third line and didn't skip a beat," said AHS head coach Mario Martiniello.

Mullin made it 1-0 with the first of two Golden Warrior power play goals at 11:56 of the opening period, assists to sophomore defenseman Riki Retelle and Capt. Colin Brennan.

It remained 1-0 until just past the midway point of the game, Mullin connecting again at 8:30 of the middle period with setups to Hyslip and Brennan.

Less than two minutes later (10:18) Hyslip got back in the scoring groove, with Mullin and Retelle assisting, and then Mullin completed his 'trick with 15 seconds left in the period off a pass from Brennan.

"Colin has slipped under the radar - but he's really picked up his scoring pace and contributed a lot to the offense the past few weeks," said Martiniello.

Retelle's first goal of the season, a power play connection at 1:10 of the third period, boosted the lead to 5-0.

Lowell (8-6) spoiled junior goaltender Zach Frish's bid for his first shutout of the season - and the team's fourth - when Dan Moynihan scored directly off a faceoff deep in the AHS end with less than five minutes left in the game (10:12).

"Zach made the key saves when needed," said Martiniello. "It's too bad he didn't get the shutout."

Andover outshot the Red Raiders 29-21 overall, including 13-7 in the pivotal second period, as Frish finished with 20 stops.

Senior forward P. J. Paonessa also recorded an assist on the final Andover goal by Retelle.

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.

GIRLS GYMNASTICS

The Andover High girls gymnastics team chalked up two more victories at the Dunn Gym, toppling Merrimack Valley Conference rival Billerica, 139.60 to 133.60, and edging past non-league rival Acton-Boxboro by the slimmest of margins, 136.95 to 136.60.

Those results left the locals at 6-1 overall - including 5-1 in the MVC as runner-up to undefeated reigning state champ Chelmsford (10-0, 7-0 MVC) who handed AHS its only loss on Jan. 22.

Schedule

The varsity dual-meet season finale is set for tonight (Thursday) at the Dunn Gym against Tewksbury (7 p.m.).

The MVC Championship Meet will also be held at Dracut (Junior High) this Saturday, at 2 p.m.

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Andover once again has an excellent shot at qualifying for the North Sectionals, scheduled for Friday, Feb. 23 at Beverly High (6 p.m.).

League champions and other specified teams with the highest average scores per dual meet will be invited.

The All-State Team Meet is Friday, March 2 at Shrewsbury High (6 p.m.), with qualifiers determined by top finishes at the Sectionals.

AHS has consistently qualified for the Sectionals and All-State meets over the past 20 years - participating in the former 16 times and the latter seven times while winning the state title in 2000.

Last year the Lady Warriors were 7th in the North Sectionals, and in 2005 they were 2nd in the North and 5th All-State.

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The State Individual Championship Meet is set for Sunday, Feb. 18 at Beverly High with two separate competitions in the morning and afternoon for each of the four events (uneven bars, balance beam, vault, floor exercise) and the all-around.

A meeting of the selection committee is set for next Monday at MIAA headquarters in Milford to determine - by scoring averages - which individuals and teams qualify for the Feb. 18 meet and the North Sectionals.

The Lady Warriors' Jenn Quirnbach, Becky Robichaud and Kristen Coneeny each has a shot at qualifying for the Individuals.

Andover 139.60

Billerica 133.60

Jenn Quirnbach placed first in two events and won the all-around to spark the Lady Warriors to victory at the Dunn Gym.

Kristen Coneeny and Becky Robichaud also placed first in one event each as the consistent locals scored 139-plus for the third straight meet (Methuen, Chelmsford).

Quirnbach's strong rookie season continued as she chalked up a 35.55 all-around score, placing first on both balance beam with a solid 9.1 and the uneven bars at 9.0.

She added an 8.3 to tie for third in vault and registered a 9.15 for third in floor exercise.

Coneeny was tops in vault with a 9.0 and Robichaud had the highest individual score of the meet with a 9.3 in floor.

Andover 136.95

Acton-Boxboro 136.60

Solid performances by Jenn Quirnbach and Carly Verrette sparked the locals to the wafer-thin win over Acton-Boxboro.

AHS, in good shape for a North Sectional berth with dual-meet scores consistently in the 136 to 139 range, received a double event win from Quirnbach with an 8.8 on the uneven bars and 9.1 in floor exercise.

Verrette shared first in floor with a 9.1 and she contributed a third in vault at 8.3.

Becky Robichaud scored 9.15 on balance beam and Kristen Coneeny matched it with a 9.15 for the win in vaulting.

Quirnbach was second in the all-around with a 34.70.

GIRLS ICE HOCKEY

Sophomore forward Heather Paonessa and Capt. Becky Cairns pumped in two goals each as the Andover High girls varsity hockey team completed a season series sweep of Greater Boston League/Merrimack Valley Conference foe and host Waltham with a 5-2 triumph at Veterans Memorial Rink in Waltham.

Cairns, Alison Burns and Sarah Oteri connected once each as AHS trimmed non-league Westford Academy, 3-1, on Tuesday night at the Groton School rink.

Those two victories, which came on the heels of a 3-2 loss to non-league Wilmington, left MIAA Division 1 State Tournament qualifier AHS (sixth straight year) at 12-2-1 overall.

The Lady Warriors also extended their GBL/MVC record to 8-1 as they kept pace with co-leader Arlington High (11-2, 8-1 league).

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By scoring just 66 seconds into that game, Wilmington snapped Andover's string of consecutive scoreless minutes at 153 which included three straight contests.

Andover has outscored its first 15 opponents by a healthy 52-17 margin.

Schedule

Four of the five remaining regular-season games are also on the road, beginning with a league title showdown Saturday night at Arlington (5:45 p.m.) at Veterans Memorial Rink. It is also the final GBL/MVC game of the season.

The winner takes the title - and if the game ends in a tie the two powers will be crowned co-champs.

Andover's only league loss was 4-1 to Arlington on Jan. 10, while the Spy Ponders perfect league record was spoiled early by a 2-1 loss to Chelmsford.

"A big part of our season success rests on the outcome of Saturday's game," said Lady Warriors' head coach Bill McCarthy. "We're much better than we showed the first time around against them - and guaranteed Arlington will see a different Andover team this weekend."

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Next week the locals host non-league Wellesley on Monday night at PA (7:20 p.m.), and travel to the Valley Sports Arena in West Concord to confront non-league foe Lincoln-Sudbury on Saturday night (7:30 p.m.).

The regular season finale on Feb. 22 is at Northeastern University's Matthews Arena against currently-undefeated Dual County League power Boston Latin (11-0-2), ranked among the top teams in EMass. Division 1.

Scoring leaders

Sarah Oteri is still on top of the pack with 17 goals and 11 assists for 28 points after 15 games.

Becky Cairns has revved it up to 13 goals and 12 assists, followed by Heather Paonessa at 9-8-17, Nicole Giroux 2-12-14 and Laura Drew 4-6-10.

Andover 3

Westford Academy 1

The Division 1 Grey Ghosts (6-8-2), who also lost to AHS 4-1 on Dec. 13, became the 11th opponent in 15 games to score one goal or less against the locals.

"We played hard and overcame a few obstacles (five penalties)," said coach McCarthy. "This was a very good win.

"We dominated and out-played Westford right from the start. Heather Paonessa was phenomnal, Becky Johnson contributed her usual stellar defensive game and it was good to see Alison (Burns) hit the scoresheet (first goal of the season)," said McCarthy.

"The final could have been 5 or 6-1. We had a lot of opportunities down low and almost converted several more of them."

The game was scoreless until 9:51 of the second period when Sarah Oteri netted her team-high 17th goal, assists to Nicole Giroux and Burns.

Cairns continued on her recent sizzling scoring pace with the eventual game-winning goal two minutes later (11:57), the only setup to Oteri.

All four goals came in the middle period, and Westford's turn came at 12:56 when Jen Hand spoiled Christina Cahill's shutout bid.

"Their goal came from a lack of puck control on our part," said McCarthy, "It was a rolling puck in our zone - and she (Hand) emerged from a scrum in front of the net to score."

Burns retaliated with an insurance goal at 14:18 of the same stanza, Cairns and Heather Paonessa providing the passes on Burns' first tally.

The third period - like the first - was scoreless and included a deft defensive effort by the Lady Warriors who killed off a 5-on-3 disadvantage following back-to-back minor penalties for tripping and hooking.

Cahill finished with nine saves, while veteran netminder Ariss Lyons of Westford made 25, as AHS held a wide 28-10 shooting edge.

Andover 5

Waltham 2

The locals, who whitewashed the Lady Hawks 2-0 on Jan. 6, broke a 1-1 deadlock with four second-period goals to key this crucial league win.

Backing Becky Cairns' and Heather Paonessa's two-goal efforts were freshman forward Sarah Oteri, with a goal, 2 assists and freshman Nicole Giroux with three assists to tie Cairns for the team lead.

Cairns also passed out an assist, while Oteri contributed two setups, Capt. Alison Burns one, sophomore Katie Shields one and 8th grader Caitlin Sanokis one for her first varsity point.

Sophomore goaltender Megan Pettoruto halted 12 shots as AHS held a 29-14 shooting edge in the game.

Wilmington 3

Andover 2

The visiting Wildcats, who have lost only once this season (12-1), scored twice in the opening four minutes of the game and held on for the tight non-league victory despite being outshot by a wide 37-12 margin at Phillips Academy's Harrison Rink.

"Mentally we were 10 minutes late for this game," said coach McCarthy. "We didn't 'arrive' ready to play until after they took a quick 2-1 lead. History has shown us that when we aren't focused - and give up early goals - we usually get beat.

"Wilmington came out like this was the Stanley Cup," added McCarthy. "We play a tough brand of hockey - but they dominated us physically from the time the first puck was dropped until the final buzzer.

"They gave us a fat lip and a bloody eye, figuratively, and in that sense they earned the win. Good for them."

However, had Wilmington goaltender Amelia Woodbury not played so well - stopping 35 of 37 Andover shots - the outcome would have been much different.

"We had a lot of scoring opportunities throughout the game," said McCarthy. "Including several after we pulled our goalie in the final minutes and had three faceoffs in their end.

"There were also a number of point-blank chances but she (Woodbury) was outstanding."

AHS, which didn't win many draws over the first two periods, had its goals from sophomore forward Heather Paonessa and Capt. Becky Cairns.

Paonessa's tally actually came just 1:24 into the game, a mere 18 seconds after Wilmington's Jess Scioli (164 career points) put her team ahead with the first of her two goals.

Scioli then snapped the 1-1 tie at the 3:59 mark, and rugged Cats' forward Maria Tucker made it 3-1 at 6:59 of the second period.

Cairns completed the scoring less than two minutes after Tucker (8:34) - and then the final 22 minutes of the game were scoreless.

Capt. Alison Burns, 8th grader Laura Drew and freshman forward Nicole Giroux had an assist each for the Lady Warriors, while senior goaltender Christina Cahill finished with nine saves.