Andover's 33-game winning streak comes to stunning halt

ANDOVER, Minn. — When Andover and Gentry Academy met in the Class AA semifinals last February, the Stars kept the game close for the first two periods. A four-goal third period and a state title game win over Minnetonka the following night earned the Huskies their second state championship.

Things didn't quite go to Andover's plan on Saturday night in the teams' first meeting since the state tournament.

It was the No. 3 Stars with a one-goal lead heading into the final frame this time after rallying from a 2-0 deficit, and they held firm down the stretch to hand the No. 1 Huskies a 4-3 loss, their first in more than a calendar year.

Andover last suffered defeat when Edina topped them in the 2021 state championship game, their lone loss of the season. The state title favorites this season haven't lost by multiple goals since a 2-0 loss to Eden Prairie in the 2018 state quarterfinals. before Saturday, the Huskies hadn't lost at home since a 5-1 defeat against Centennial/Spring Lake Park on Nov. 30, 2018.

Senior forward Grace Delmonico scored twice for Gentry. Senior defender Jenessa Gazdik — who scored the Stars' lone goal against Andover last February — and senior forward Rachel Agerter also added a goal.

Andover outshot Gentry 23-18 in the game.

Andover got a pair of goals from sophomore forward Maya Engler and a tally from sophomore defender Mackenzie Jones in the loss.