Groton 3, Andover 0

The Groton 3^rds Field Hockey team opened their season with a victory over Andover, coming out on top of a 3-0 margin of triumph.  Despite a chaotic start to the trip with missing skirts, no water bottles and a lonely pair of cleats back in the Groton locker room, the girls pushed aside their hurdles and handled Andover as if the circumstances were ideal.  The plush playing field seemed to slow the ball a bit, as both teams were struggling to gain momentum, but it was Groton who emerged with the first tally.  After much persistence in the Andover circle, Lizzie Tobeason kept her point streak alive with a nice finish off of a great effort from Annie McElgunn to regain possession after a rebound.  Groton ended the first half with a series of corners where the ball was worked nicely by the offensive unit, but the score remained 1- 0 after 30 minutes of play.

 

Andover came out strong in the start of the second half, keeping the ball in Groton’s half, but was ultimately shut down by the zebra defenders, lead by III former Elizabeth Dickson and her smart, aggressive style.  Groton had a couple of fast breaks that eventually led to a goal from Taylor Peltier who forced a turnover deep in the zone, if not for Annie McCreery keeping the ball down low.  Confusion struck when Annie McElgunn’s goal was called back, unexpectedly, but the girls pressed onward.  Katherine McCreery was credited with the third and final goal, after intercepting an attempted clear from Andover.  The Groton girls held it together, finished with a 3-0 success, and even restricted Andover to 0 shots on goal.