As October 20 rolled around, so did the end of the Andover Recreation Soccer season. And what a season it has been!
Every Saturday morning, there were 24 first and second graders diligently practicing their skills at Howard George Field in Blackwater Park with Michelle Dudek. The boys and girls learned dribbling and passing skills and ended their season with a game against their parents.
I want to thank Michelle and all the parents who helped her keep all those eager soccer players focused at 8:30 AM on a Saturday morning.
The third and fourth grade boys and girls wrapped up their official season on October 12. Andover fielded two co-ed 3/4 teams, and both teams had fairly even win/loss records. Also, both teams had a chance to play nine games this year, giving them quite a bit of game experience.
Soccer Jamboree
On October 13, both Andover teams traveled to New London to participate in the annual Bob Andrews Soccer Jamboree, where they had a chance to play tournament-style games in a non-competitive atmosphere. I’d like to thank my coaches, Brian Kellogg, Ty Davis, and Robert Koziol, for all their hard work.
The fifth and six grade boys and girls fielded a co-ed team this year as well, led by Coach Claudio Marcus. It was a tough season playing some of the toughest boys teams in the league, but, the kids showed great sportsmanship and ended every game with a smile.
Claudio worked with them throughout the season on getting open for a pass, working the ball up the sidelines, taking the shot, and following it into the goal. On defense, he stressed containing the opponent and forcing them to make an unwanted pass.
On October 20, the 5/6 team traveled to Henniker to play in their season-ending league tournament against Bow, Henniker, Hopkinton, and Trinity Athletics. Andover played hard, coming in fourth overall and earning medals.
One more chance to play a little more soccer this season came on October 27, when Claudio took the 12 fifth and sixth grade girls to MVHS to play in the MV Cup sponsored by Salisbury and Webster. Every year, they invite the boys and girls teams from the towns in the Merrimack Valley School District to participate in a tournament, knowing that someday, they all might play together.
Thank You, Referees!
Another important aspect to our program is the referees. We wouldn’t be able to host games without them. A special “Thank you!” goes out to Leighton Terwilliger, Mackenzie Donovan, and Hannah Munson for reffing all 17 Andover home games this season. Both Mackenzie and Hannah became “patched refs” this past summer after participating in a US Soccer Recreational Reffing Clinic held by the Merrimack Valley Soccer League.
Congratulations, Andover, on a season well done!
A New Director
As an end note, unwittingly, this was my last year as director of the Andover Recreation Soccer program. My plans to go back to school have accelerated themselves, and I will not have the time available next fall to dedicate to running this program.
I have truly enjoyed my time over the last seven years coaching, and then directing, for Andover Rec Soccer. What an experience it has been watching the young kids in town grow in their soccer skills and knowledge over the years. I feel genuinely blessed to have been a part of this program.
With that said, the Andover Recreation Committee is looking for someone interested in heading up the program in the fall. Anyone with questions can contact me at AndoverSoccer@nulltds.net.