In the midst of all of our bustling around to get ready for the school year, we try to find moments of transcendence. I am an Emerson/Thoreau/Alcott Transcendentalist, and tonight's road trip to Keene check all of the boxes. There was little of the in-season urgency as we gathered for the bus trip, although were were on time and businesslike. Everyone showed the required admission - a mouthpiece - and we cruised down the verdant corridor of 91 south, following the Connecticut and crossing it back into NH at Walpole, home of Ken Burns and great ice cream. As we crested the final hill and into the Ashuelot River Valley, we caught sight of Mt. Monadnock looming. It's the second most frequently climbed mountain after Mt. Fuji. We pulled into the Keene State University field complex, and had to blink at the quality of the Keene pitch. It's so god it rivals Dartmouth's Burnham Field. We were greeted warmly by Keene Coach Rick Scott, a legend in NH soccer circles. He had the chance to watch a a bit of our second game, and was complimentary. We watched a bit of the first of the three-team round robin between our two opponents, Con-Val and Keene. Con-Val was 19-1 last year and won the D2 title. Led by D1 Coach of the Year Ben Pierce, Keene had their best season in decades and went to the quarterfinals. So, beautiful pitch, quality opposition, perfect weather. Happily, what followed were 90 minutes of quality soccer performed by 27 players. There's never enough playing time, but in this night everyone made good use of what they were given. We're still trying to finalize rosters as well as get comfortable playing together. Hanover showed that they had the maturity to focus on playing tasks, and not the outcome nor the implication. Amazing how well a team can play when they are relaxed.
In the first match against Con-Val, Hanover was all over the cougars like a cheap suit. Hanover's offense asked a lot of questions early, swarming the Con-Val goal mouth and forcing their keeper to make some big saves. Amane Matsuoka continued his good work on the flanks and culminated a great buildup by slotting the ball across the face of the goal for Eli Stack to slide home. Con-Val countered against the run of play and scored a nice goal to tie the game. Hanover went deep on the bench in the final 25 of the 45 minute match, and the Marauders continued a high level of play. The second match followed immediately, and the Marauders continued to warm to the task. Blake Palmer, who had a telling shot on goal in the first match, was repeatedly dangerous, and set up Hanover's goal with a wonderful cross to Matsuoka, 65 yards across the way. Matsuoka threaded it to Eli Stack, and the Hanover had the only goal they could need. Nathan Subrahmanian almost doubled the score with a nice drive from the 18 off of one of many, many Marauder corners. Hanover takes 29 more players back to Keene tomorrow for two matches against the same schools at Keene High. Bus leaves at 3:00.
Players going the Keene on Friday should wear as much white as they are able. We can fill in with shorts, socks and shirts. Players must have mouthpieces. They should bring water and a snack for the trip down and money for fast food after the game. We are still in pre-season mode as far as catering.
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