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Michelle Martin scored a goal as she and Angie Minott did a strong job in the midfield. 

But No. 5 seeded North Andover lost 2-1 to No. 4 seeded Chelmsford in the quartefinals of the Division 1 North field hockey tournament.

After a sleepy opening half, the North Andover girls cranked it up in the second, knocking off Lowell, 3-0, in the Division 1 North field hockey matchup. Michelle Martin, Kali Otis and Meg Daley all netted second-half goals for the Knights, who advance to face the Chelmsford-Newton North winner on Sunday. "We got back to our basics in the second half," said coach Courtney Breen. "Our intensity picked up in what was a really well-played game."

Meg Daley scored in the second half on an an assist from Caroline Whalen as North Andover's field hockey team (10-1-5) recorded his fifth tie of the year against Reading. Sara McCarthy stood out defensively for the Knights. 

Angie Minott scored North Andover's lone goal in a 1-1 tie with Newburyport that helped the Scarlet Knights remain one point behind Newburyport in the CAL standings in field hockey. 

North Andover field hockey tied Manchester Essex 0-0. Coach Courtney Breen said of Meg Foster, "She had an amazing seven saves. The final play of the game was a corner. She had a great save." The Knights defense was anchored by Julie Boshar, Maggie Silva, Dana McManus and Sara McCarthy.

Offensive firepower from Sara McCarthy (goal) and Rachel Mosier did the trick in North Andover's 3-0 victory over Rockport. 

NORTH ANDOVER — It may not be intentional, but the Andover field hockey team seems to be using the philosophy that the best defense is a good offense. Using their tremendous speed up front, accompanied by an aggressive style, the unbeaten defending Division 1 state champion Warriors (7-0) were at it again yesterday, blanking local rival North Andover 4-0. Following Monday’s 3-0 win over Chelmsford, it was the second undefeated team they knocked off in two days. Through seven games, Andover has now outscored its opponents 36-0 and, for the most part, dominated play. North Andover (4-1-2) actually had the better of play in the first eight minutes of the game, and had at least one good scoring chance, but it was all Andover for the final three-fourths of the game. Anne Farnham opened the scoring at the 18:06 mark on an assist from Taylor Farris, added a second goal six minutes later and then assisted a Jaclyn Torres goal to make it 3-0 at halftime. The second half was loaded with scoring chances for Andover, with Meagan Keefe scoring the only goal. For the game, Andover had a whopping 16-2 advantage in corners. “Once we adjusted to how they were playing, and played as a team more, I thought we dominated,” said Anne Farnham. “We feel we have a strong forward line, but we have confidence in our defense when the ball goes down to the other end.” But, with forwards Anne Farnham, Torres and Keefe all over the field, and midfielders like Kate Farnham backing them up, the ball doesn’t go back often. Anne Farnham and Keefe already have 10 goals on the year, with Torres right behind with seven. “I guess that’s how it’s turning out,” said Andover coach Maureen Noone when asked if her team’s defense results from its offense. “We put on a lot of pressure and Jaclyn and Meagan do an excellent job of coming back for the ball. “At this point in the season, I feel pretty good with the way we’re playing.” North Andover coach Courtney Breen, meanwhile, had no complaints with her team, especially with the way it played in the first part of the game. “I thought we might catch them and get a goal, but that’s a great team with speedy forwards,” said Breen. “Andover has the ability to take over a game, and that’s what you saw. But I thought our defense played well and I don’t think the score does justice to how we played. “It’s not even October and I like the way we’re playing for a young team.”

North Andover's field hockey team tuned up for tomorrow's showdown with Andover by routing Triton 6-0. Michelle Martin had two goals and an assist for the unbeaten Knights (4-0-2). 

Caroline Whalen dominated the midfield and Kali Otis contributed a goal and an assist as North Andover field hockey blanked Pentucket 2-0.

Meg Jalbert scored twice, Meg Daly added two assists and Meg Foster made two saves as North Andover scored a 2-0 win over Masconomet. The Knights improve to 2-0.