Reigning D1 champion Andover gets rolling
Methuen has an outstanding goalie in senior Alex Tardugno, but Thursday night, two-time defending state champion Andover proved why it is still one of the top seeds in the Division 1 tournament.
With four players tallying goals, the second-seeded Golden Warriors shut out No. 31 Methuen, 6-0, in a firstround game at Andover’s Eugene V. Lovely Memorial Field. Tardugno finished her high school career with a stellar 22-save performance.
“It was nice to see the little things come together at the perfect time, in the tournament,” said first-year Andover coach Bridget Morris.
The Golden Warriors (16-2) started slowly in the first quarter, and Tardugno halted the opportunities they did get near the net, with eight stops. Scarlet Glass scored five minutes in, but otherwise the Andover sticks were quiet.
In the second quarter, Andover came alive and found a way past Tardugno. Ella Sewall got the scoring started, followed by Glass again. Bella DiFiore scored two more, the last coming with a little over a minute until halftime, for a 5-0 margin at the half.
Andover controlled the ball right from the start of the second half, with Mia Giaimo scoring off a rebound two minutes in. The Rangers (8-6-5) showed great transition work through the rest of the third to tie up Andover’s midfielders.
Shortly into the fourth quarter, Methuen’s defense stymied what looked like a sure Andover penalty stroke. No matter the score, Tardugno and her team never gave up.
“They worked so hard,” said Methuen coach Kristen Swales. “Everything I asked of them, they always did.”
Division 1 State
Walpole 6, Marshfield 0 — Kendal Cusack, Kate Schneider, Caitlyn Naughton, and Izzy Adams each recorded a goal and an assist in a first-round win for the top-seeded Porkers (18-1). Winchester 2, Chelmsford 1 — With 54 seconds remaining in overtime, Ava Parages rifled a stinger for the win to lead the 13th-ranked Red and Black (14-5) over the No. 20 Lions (6-10-3).
Division 2 State
Dartmouth 6, Bishop Stang 0 — Sydney Almeida scored three goals, lifting the sixth-seeded Indians (18-0-0) to a first-round win. Kaelyn Zuber added a goal and three assists, and Grace Haskell tacked on a pair of tallies. Leominster 2, North Attleborough 1 — Emma Miller scored the winner in overtime, lifting the 12th-seeded Blue Devils (11-7-1) to a thrilling first round win.
Division 3 State
Hanover 3, Notre Dame (Worcester) 1 — Senior Mae Buchanon connected on a 25-yard hit, with captain McKenzie Foley assisting, and Sam Baker knocked in a rebound for the winner, lifting the No. 22 Hawks (11-6-2) to the first-round win over the No. 11 Rebels (12-5-2) in Worcester. Buchanon added her second tally, a rebound off another corner, and senior goalie Olivia Campo made 12 saves.
Danvers 1, Auburn 0 — Emma Cross netted the lone goal, lifting the ninthseeded Falcons (14-2-3) to a firstround win over No. 24 Auburn (9-7-3). Sandwich 6, Ashland 0 — Quinn Jordan (3 goals, assist) and Elisabeth Stutzman (goal, assist) powered the fourth-seeded Blue Knights (18-0-1) to a first-round win over No. 29 Ashland (3-13-3). Khloe Schultz and Sadie Clarkin added tallies for Sandwich.
St. Mary’s 1, Medfield 0 — Vanessa Hall scored the winner, powering the 17th-seeded Spartans (12-4-2) to a first-round win. Gianna Tringale notched a shutout for St. Mary’s.
Division 4 State
Joseph Case 2, Amesbury 0 — Megan Smith poured in both goals as the fifth-seeded Cardinals (15-1-1) earned the first-round win. Both goals were assisted by Emma Bouchard.
St. John Paul II 2, Tyngsborough/ Dracut 0 — Kaylee Anthony and Michaela Stampfl scored, propelling the 15th-seeded Lions (12-2-4) to a firstround win, the program’s first-ever playoff victory.