Knights Fall Short Against Rockport

After a hard fought battle, the North Andover High School boys' soccer team fell one goal short to Rockport Tuesday night under the lights at Walsh Stadium.

The Vikings went home with the 2-1 victory, handing the Scarlet Knights (8-3-2) what became only their third loss of the season.

"(Rockport) played a hell of a game, but our players put up just as good of a fight," said North Andover co-captain Evan Boudreau.

The game remained scoreless throughout the first 40 minutes despite both sides registering multiple shots on goal, including North Andover's Corey Hocking.

Hocking sent a rocket nearly out of reach of Rockport's keeper, Keady Segel, but Segel managed to make the save against the odds.

"We gave it one hundred percent, but their keeper is one of the best, if not the best, keeper in the league," said Boudreau. "(Hocking) ripped it and the keeper just had an amazing save, so hopefully we will get them next time."

Both teams came out aggressive in the second half, but it was Rockport's Cameron Tibert who locked in the first score of the game just ten minutes in.

The Vikings would strike again before North Andover could get on the board, and registered another goal when junior Chandler Burnham tucked the ball into the net with 10 minutes left to play. Just like that, the Vikings secured a 2-0 lead with time running out.

The Knights refused to give up, and with four minutes left senior Christopher Grimble gave his team some momentum after capitalizing on a stray ball that was bouncing around in front of Rockport's net.

With the scoring gap narrowed to a single goal, North Andover continued to attack the opponent's net.

Despite their efforts, they were unable to score again the Knights were forced to take the loss on their home turf.

"We gave such a good fight to a great team, and if it wasn't for that goalie I think we would of had a 3-2 win," said North Andover co-captain Nick Kingswood.

North Andover coach Bill Tarbox was pleased with the effort his Knights put forth, and pointed to factors that may have influenced the outcome.

North Andover has been plagued with injuries in recent weeks, and their usual starting keeper, Michael Maroney, has been out for five games and counting after suffering a concussion.

Tarbox has been experimenting with replacement goalies until Maroney regains eligibility to play.

Sophomore Dennis Graef played in Tuesday's game for the first time since suffering an injury that sidelined him for four games, as well.

"We've had some injuries, so we've been dealing with lots of patchwork to try to fill those spots," said Tarbox. 
 
Next up the Knights will take on North Reading away on Friday at 3:45 p.m., and will also be preparing to take on powerhouse Masco next Friday during the Knight's senior recognition ceremony.

"(Masco) is going to be a battle because last time we lost to them with just seconds left, and it will be our senior night, so we're fired up and it should be great," said Bourdeau.

"Next Friday should be a really great match," added Tarbox.