Hanover steps onto one of the best stages for postseason soccer in the state, Stellos Stadium, and plays one of the best programs in D1 history, Manchester Central, in Tuesday's NHIAA Division One Semifinals. It's the best possible scenario for the Marauders, pitting them against the team that ushered them out of last years semifinals by a 4-0 margin. Has Hanover closed the gap? The Marauders trekked to Gill Stadium a month ago and beat Central 4-3, but they have never beaten the Little Green in postseason play.
The Marauders advanced to the final four for the second year in a row (after a two-year absence) with a pair of scintillating contests at home. Hanover beat Winnacunnet on penalties after a 2-2 regulation draw, and then dismissed 6th seed Keene 2-1 in Saturday's quarterfinal. The top four seeds survived into the semifinals, with Concord and Windham advancing on penalties. Now they will all square off at Stellos, which has seen a number of classic playoff games involving Hanover teams over the years.
The teams winning tomorrow will be rewarded with three days of training before the Saturday Finals at Manchester Memorial. That time together is a precious commodity, especially when team chemistry tends to be strong at season's end.
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