The Marauder Freshmen played their best soccer at exactly the right time, winning the Concord Freshman Tournament and claiming the distinction of being the best freshman program in New Hampshire. Unbeaten in group play, Hanover beat the host Concord team 3-0 in the semifinals and then beat a tough Winnacunnet team 2-1 in the finals on a last-minute goal by Cam Forbush. In the process of winning the Marauders faced three teams they had met earlier in the season, and in every case they improved on their previous efforts. This was definitely the case in their opening group game, when they beat the Exeter team that had gashed them less than two weeks ago. After giving top five goals in the first 30 minutes against Exeter in the first encounter, the Marauders scored twice in the early going and limited the Blue Hawks to a single goal, winning 2-1. Eschewing (ROT alert)
their tendency to leak goals early, Hanover turned the tables with a pair of Jack Gardner goals in the first five minutes. Gardner headed home a cross from Augie Krawitt and then converted a pass from Jack Stadheim to give the Marauders a lead they would not relinquish. Exeter managed to score once, but could not crack the defense spearheaded by the firm of Smith, Munson and Watts, and backstopped by goalkeeper Ty Noon.
Hanover's next two group games ensured a trip to the semifinals. They tied an excellent Londonderry team 1-1 on a goal by Soren Stettenheim, a header facilitated by Jack Stadheim, and then beat Dover 7-0. Cam Bonner led the way against the Green Wave with a hat trick, with Gardner, Stadheim, Liam Worden and Tom Mosdal scoring single goals. Theo Joseph had a trio of assists.
Hanover faced Concord in the semifinals, and they blanked a team that had scored three goals on them three weeks ago, while scoring three of their own. Worden opened the scoring with a back heel, Stettenheim continued his hot streak, and Stadheim put the icing on the cake with a blast from outside the penalty area.
The Marauders were not about the let down in the finals against a strong, athletic Winnacunnet team.
The Warriors scored first on a penalty kick after an accidental hand ball in the box, but Hanover countered when Stettenheim took a pass from Worden and dribbled the opposition, tying the match and earning the distinction of being the only Marauder to score in three different games. The team battled back and forth, and with time winding down they were given a corner kick and took full advantage. As he has all season, Jack McGrath hit an excellent corner kick that found Cam Forbush at the back post for the winning score.
As has been the case all season, the tournament title was a product of team play. Everyone contributed, and everyone owns a share of the glory. One significant name needs to be mentioned, however. Coach Chris Dawes has been an integral part of this team's improvement, and his calm and capable management of this squirrelly bunch in both training and game settings has directly contributed to Hanover's victory.
Happily, the season will be extended for the young Marauders, who will scrimmage the Hanover Varsity Girls on Tuesday, probably in the afternoon on the turf. There has been some friendly trash talking about this rivalry, but the focus of Tuesday's match is clear: the objective will be helping the top-seeded Hanover girls prepare for their tournament opener next Sunday. Everyone on the boys' side, this editor included, will refrain from referencing past results, and focus on being the best possible scrimmage partner. The 16-0-0 Hanover girls have improved significantly since the start of the year, and it will be a good challenge for the Freshmen to see if they can demonstrate similar progress in their own play.
They’re actually 16 and 2
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