JV1` Beats Bishop Guertin 3-2

The Marauder JV1 squad made it two wins in three days with a tense 3-2 victory over Bishop Guertin on Thursday.  After conceding an early corner, Hanover got started on the front foot, with a dangerous free kick by Pierce Hamlin saved by the keeper, and the rebound shot by Jack Ross sailing over the bar.  Ten minutes in, Zane Schiffman sailed a soaring shot just over the crossbar.  At the other end, Palmer Okai was keeping things calm in the middle of the back four.

In the 13th and 15th minutes, Pierce Hamlin was getting great looks at goal, forcing a save by the keeper and then ripping a shot past the post. Five minutes after that, Hamlin made his presence felt with a long cross off of a set piece.  Finally, five minutes past the midway point, Hanover struck twice  in two minutes.  A Derek Lacy corner kick was parried into a defender by the BG keeper, resulting in an Own Goal.  A minute later, Oscar Miller's hard work up front created a turnover and a possession for Thomas Glass, who slid a pass to Johnny Reznek.  Playing his 8 role perfectly, Reznek slipped the ball past the past with his left peg.

Hanover continued to put on the pressure.  Connor Hamlin got into position to have a look, and Matias launched a 235-yard shot.    In the 32nd minute Hanover got the game-winning goal on a goal of the year candidate.  Oscar was dispossessed in the box but the clear to the top of the box was met by Owen Stannard, who ripped a rising shot that hit side netting for a stunner of a goal. Unfortunately, Hanover couldn't close out the half, and conceded a goal after a BG free kick was bounced around in the box before being tapped over the line.

Bishop Guertin got even closer right at the start of the second half, when a long high shot eluded CJ Wheelan at the back post.  The junior keeper's response was the moment of the match.  Just two minutes later, a tackle in the box resulted in a penalty kick, and it appeared that the entire three-goal led would be squandered.  The Cardinal kicker hit a hard shot to the middle of the net.  CJ was diving to his right, and managed to get his trailing foot on the ball and make the game-saving save.  He stood tall againve minutes, making an off-balance near post save, and the then clearing the ball.

Hanover continued to press, and Jack Ross almost found Zane Schiffman at the back post on a free kick, which would have duplicated their gamer-winner at Exeter two days earlier.  Oscar earned several free kicks, and the Marauders just missed a quick restart wide of the post.  CJ Wheelan. had to remain alert in his end on several free kicks, and come off his line to punch clear on one of them.
Murphy Hunt and Luke Ives showed their ability to see the match off at the end.  Mitch and Isak Larusson get a shout out for great planning and execution of a free kick that started a dangerous scoring opportunity.

Editor's shout out to Jack Maynes for keeping exquisite game notes.  Next up for JV1s is a Tuesday road trip to Bedford.