Deerfield faced Andover, one of its most challenging competitors of the season, on an unseasonably warm late October afternoon. Last year, the team had taken the long trip to Andover and left with a tough 0-5 loss, and this year’s team was eager to make up for that loss. Deerfield knew it would be an uphill battle. The team was looking thin, with an injury, an illness, and a smaller defensive line-up than normal. Andover came out of the gate strong, scoring their first goal 3 minutes in. After Andover’s initial pressure on our defense, Deerfield’s team gained possession of the ball and put the pressure back on Andover. At 18 minutes, Jack Wagner ’26 crossed the ball from the right, and Victor Kibuuka ’26, at the right place at the right time, headed the ball perfectly into the net. After a 1-1 halftime score, Andover came back with a powerful offense, scoring twice more in the first 10 minutes. Despite the score, Deerfield played a gritty game and picked up their energy, especially after Isaac Shobola ’27 took advantage of a well-placed corner kick and shot the ball in the net. A mishap in Andover’s penalty box led to another injury for a Deerfield player, leaving the team with a single (ill) sub. After another goal from Andover, Wagner then scored a goal at the 30 minute mark. Then, after Deerfield’s team committed an accidental foul just outside their penalty box, Andover’s team scored a direct kick, bringing the score up to 5-3. Plucky saves from keeper Jerry Du ’27 and quick, decisive defense from Ryan Bai ’26 were pivotal in keeping the game more balanced than it could have been. Though the score was a tough one for Deerfield to swallow, the team is proud to have posed a real challenge to Andover, who has had an undefeated season so far. The team is looking forward to their final away game of the season at Avon Old Farms next Wednesday.