Huskies Young Players' Make Strides in Loss at Andover

The Huskies faced a tough test on the road against perennial NEPSAC powerhouse Phillips Andover, ultimately falling 5–1 in a hard-fought matchup that showed more promise than the final score reflected. New Hampton came out flying from the opening puck drop, immediately putting Andover on their heels with speed, pressure, and confidence. Their early effort paid off when Kiara Drake ’27 ripped a beautiful shot past the Andover netminder to give the Huskies a 1–0 lead. The bench erupted as the Huskies dictated the pace and showed they were ready to compete with one of the top teams in the league. Andover, however, settled into their game and began to push back with intensity. Capitalizing on momentum swings and sustained pressure, they evened the score before finding the go-ahead goal later in the period. Despite the surge, the Huskies continued to battle, limiting further damage and heading into the intermission down 3–1 but still very much competing.

The second period belonged to Andover, as they came out with urgency and capitalized on a couple of defensive-zone mistakes. The Huskies found themselves under extended pressure, and Andover took advantage of their opportunities to extend the lead to 5–1 heading into the third. To their credit, the Huskies owned the final frame. Refusing to back down, they played with grit and determination, showing the type of resilience that will serve them well down the stretch. The young Huskies in particular stepped up, demonstrating poise, patience, composure, and strong hockey sense against a fast, physical opponent. Goaltender Elizabeth Vincent ’27 was steady between the pipes, making key saves and giving her team opportunities to climb back into the game. While the scoreboard favored Andover, the performance told a more encouraging story. The Huskies showed they can skate with and challenge one of NEPSAC’s top programs. With growth from their younger players and continued commitment to smart, disciplined hockey, this matchup marked another important step forward as the Huskies push through the final stretch of their season.