The Marauder JV1 and Varsity squads got their wakeup call on Tuesday, traveling to Bedford and dropping 2-0 decisions in well-played matches on the Bulldogs' aging turf facility. In the JV match, Bedford scored once in each half and did an excellent job allowing possession in the middle of the park but limiting Hanover's dangerous scoring chances to a precious few.
In the Varsity match, Bedford enjoyed the territorial advantage in the early stages, gaining five corner kicks in the first fifteen minutes. Following one of these, Charlie Adams was in the right spot to head a ball off the line. Joey Perras was standing tall in the net for Hanover and made a nice grab in traffic on another threatening corner.
Hanover began stringing passes together at midfield, and created several good chances, earning fiver corners of their own and seeing headers by Latham Allison and Amane Matsuoka just miss the mark. Hanover's best scoring opportunity in the half came on a quick setup from Charlie Adams to Henry Aspinwall, only to see Henry's short range shots blocked at the last minute.
With five minute to play in an evenly-played first half, Bedford was awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area, and a match which was being decided by 22 players became decisively altered by a non-player. Bedford's leading scorer Vitor Rodriguez made no mistake with his free kick, beating the Hanover wall and grazing the right post on the way in.
Predictably frustrated, the Marauders nevertheless continued to grow into the game, and had an edge in play throughout the second half. Soon after the interval al, Charlie Adams sent a free kick through the box that narrowly missed connecting with two Marauder teammates. Eli Stack broke into the Bulldog penalty area with a great open look, only to loose possession with a heavy touch.
Eleven minutes into the half, Bedford took advantage of a giveaway at midfield, setting up an odd-man rush into the Marauder end. Matthew Flanagan ended up with an open shot, put it off the crossbar, and headed in his own rebound for a 2-0 score. Surprisingly, Hanover continued to improve their offense, and not get frantic in their attempts to get back in the game. Amane Matsuoka got open on the left side of the box for a drive just under the crossbar that was tipped over and out by Bedford keeper Aidan Wisherd. Adams made several runs on the baseline, and fed a ball through the box from the left side and somehow missed connecting with two onrushing Marauder mates. Adams his a free kick from just outside the box and got it on frame, but Wisherd was there to gobble it up. Matsuoka continued his good work on the flanks, penetrating deep into the box before his shot was blocked. Eric Ringer, skulking around the 18 all night, launched several long range shots that were close, but no cigars.
Hanover outshot Bedford 10-4 in the half and had a 7-4 edge in corner kicks, but the Bulldogs are defending Division One Champions for a reason. Their defense bent but never broke, and Hanover had to deal with the frustration of dictating the pace and flow of the match, but not being able to finish.
"This result won't be a problem if we learn from not," commented Coach Grabill. We have so many ways that we can improve as a team. Now we have a clear idea where we stand isn comparison with the nest team in the state. If we continue to improve and work hard, we will be very, very eager to see this team again." The Marauders return to action on Friday, traveling to the GPS fields in Bedford to take on Merrimack.
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