The soccer season at Hanover has boiled down to one game for one team: The Varsity hosts Keene on Saturday at 2:00 at Merriman-Branch field.
The Marauders will train on Friday on the turf from 3:30 - 5:00.:00
We're taking this one game at a time. But we need to list tentative training times in the even that Hanover wins on Saturday and extends the season.
Sunday: 5:00- 7:00 p.m. (Following the HHS Girls' playoff game at 3:00
Monday: 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday: Semifinal Game at Stellos Stadium, Nashua 4:00 p.m. Bust Departs 1:10 a.m. (after 5th period).
Wednesday: Whoa. That's way too far ahead.
Friday during Activity Period, all Hanover subvarasity players can return their uniforms to the gym and receive their Hanover Soccer Tee Shirts.
We are looking for volunteers to be ball runners during the Saturday game. Please message CoAAch Grabill. First Come, First Served.
Be sure to save the Date: Four-Team Soccer Celebration and Potluck Dessert Buffet. Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 6:00 p.m. in the NNH gym.
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Marauders Survive and Advance, Breaking Penalty Jinx with Sudden Victory over Winnacunnet
The Marauder Varsity played one of the most dramatic and entertaining games in Merriman-Branch history Wednesday, beating Winnacunnet in a sudden death penalty kick shootout to advance to the quarterfinal round of the NHIAA Division One Tournament. Trailing or tied for most of the game against a fired-up Warrior squad, the Marauders rallied to tied the game twice, and after dominating 20 minutes of scoreless golden goal overtime, they calmly won a nerve-shattering shootout in the seventh round. The penalty kick victory was Senior Night, with Charlie Adams, Judd Alexander, Lathan Allison, Joey Perras and Amane Matsuoka each scoring a critical goal. After Matsuoka's seventh-round shot, Winnacunnet shooter Ryan Murray sailed his shot one the bar, sealing the Marauder win and triggering a wild celebration as the victorious Hanover players were swallowed by the large and boisterous crown that had supported and listed them all game.
Hanover now advances to the Quarterfinal round of the tournament, and will host sixth-seeded Keene on Saturday at 2:00.
The penalty kick victory ends a bitter series of tournament losses via the shootout, four times in the past eight seasons. Coach Grabill had never won on penalties until Wednesday. The Marauders lost at home to Goffstown in 2011 in the infamous Lights Out game. They lost to Pinkerton in the Semifinals in 2014, and lost again to Londonderry in thee semifinals in 2015. Most recently, Hanover lost a bitter shootout defeat in 2017 at Pinkerton after their overtime game winner was stolen. Thus, this cathartic victory does a great deal for the franchise. Plus, perhaps, it will send the Marauders into the game against Keene a bit hungrier.
Hanover certainly started on the right foot against Winnacunnett, taking a 1-0 lead 44 seconds into the match when Charlie Adams got the ball with Matsuoka's help on the right side of the box, and found time and room to tuck a ball inside the far post. Winnacunnet was unfazed, and spend most of the next 30 minutes on the front foot. The Warriors tied the game ten minutes into the match when speedy Chaz Ziolkowski found space on the right side and beat the slow-to-close Hanover defense to a spot where he had a unguarded shot from close range past Pewrras. Eight minutes. later, they took a lead on a beautiful goal, with a long pass played to frontrunner Gavin O'Hara, who controlled the ball and slid a lateral pass to a speeding Ryan Murray, who ran past his defender and whipped a nice shot into the net. Hanover had little success offensively until the waning moments of the half, when they finally earned their first corner kicks, and almost got a short-range shot from Henry Aspinwall, who got possession deep in the box but saw a shot blocked.
Not prone to panic, Hanover grew into the game quickly in the second half, and tied the score on a spectacular free kick fro the left side into the upper right corner by Adams, his 22nd goal of the season. Winnacunnet stayed aggressive, and had a good attempt foiled moments later on a nice tackle in the box by Kyle Doucette. The Marauders missed a chance when a long Adams free kick nearly connected with his favorite target, Doucette. Joey Perras had to be at his best to keep Winnacunnet in check, coming off his line more than once to contest 50-50 balls, and making an excellent save after being shaken up. Hanover had another near miss in the 63rd minute when a pass across the face of the goal was nearly converted by Blake Palmer.
Winnacunnet shocked the large and supportive home crowd in the 66th minute during a rare foray into the Hanover end when Ziolkowski took the ball in the box and made a quick left to right run to create space for a short, hard, accurate shot past Perras. Hanover jumped right back into mix 90 seconds later when Latham Allison found room in a mosh pit in front of the Winnacunnet goal ti tie the game. Hanover had a few more looks in the final 10 minutes, but the best shot before the end of regulation was a close-range Warrior shot that sailed over the bar. There was no inevitability in this contest. The game was up for grabs.
That said, Hanover dominated the to 10-minute sudden victory overtime periods. Blake Palmer ripped a shot past the post, and Henry Aspinwall just missed connecting with it with a great far post run. Adams had a shot blocked for a dangerous corner. In the second overtime, the chances were even more numerous. Allison missed connenctions on a header. Palmer had another great shot slide just wide of the post. Allison and Matsuoka each had great looks before the final whistle.
Losing all of the time in penalties means that you're paranoid about penalties, and you tend to start practicing the second you reach postseason. Hanover had devoted some time to penalties during each postseason practice, and their demeanor during the shootout was a confident one. Adams led off for Hanover and cooly converted the leadoff penalty into the left corner. Marauder fans rejoiced when Joey Perras made a great dive too his left to deny Ziolkowski. Blake Palmer pulled his shot wide to the right and then Cam Hart converted, and the shootout was tied.
Eric Ringer's soft shot went right to Warrior goalie Nathan Today. but Hanover caught a break when Marcos Charlotte hit a shot that grazed the left upright and missed. The next two shooters for each team made their shots, with Judd Alexander and Latham Allison cooly converting for Hanover.
With the score tied at 5-5. Perras dramatically doffed his gloves and coldly hit his shot into the left corner. After Daniel Kim tied it for the Warriors, their third straight clutch shot, Matsuoka made no mistake for Hanover's fifth goal. Ryan Murray's shot almost made a bid for the parking lot, and Hanover had their cherished win. They survive, they advance, and their season continues.
Hanover now advances to the Quarterfinal round of the tournament, and will host sixth-seeded Keene on Saturday at 2:00.
The penalty kick victory ends a bitter series of tournament losses via the shootout, four times in the past eight seasons. Coach Grabill had never won on penalties until Wednesday. The Marauders lost at home to Goffstown in 2011 in the infamous Lights Out game. They lost to Pinkerton in the Semifinals in 2014, and lost again to Londonderry in thee semifinals in 2015. Most recently, Hanover lost a bitter shootout defeat in 2017 at Pinkerton after their overtime game winner was stolen. Thus, this cathartic victory does a great deal for the franchise. Plus, perhaps, it will send the Marauders into the game against Keene a bit hungrier.
Hanover certainly started on the right foot against Winnacunnett, taking a 1-0 lead 44 seconds into the match when Charlie Adams got the ball with Matsuoka's help on the right side of the box, and found time and room to tuck a ball inside the far post. Winnacunnet was unfazed, and spend most of the next 30 minutes on the front foot. The Warriors tied the game ten minutes into the match when speedy Chaz Ziolkowski found space on the right side and beat the slow-to-close Hanover defense to a spot where he had a unguarded shot from close range past Pewrras. Eight minutes. later, they took a lead on a beautiful goal, with a long pass played to frontrunner Gavin O'Hara, who controlled the ball and slid a lateral pass to a speeding Ryan Murray, who ran past his defender and whipped a nice shot into the net. Hanover had little success offensively until the waning moments of the half, when they finally earned their first corner kicks, and almost got a short-range shot from Henry Aspinwall, who got possession deep in the box but saw a shot blocked.
Not prone to panic, Hanover grew into the game quickly in the second half, and tied the score on a spectacular free kick fro the left side into the upper right corner by Adams, his 22nd goal of the season. Winnacunnet stayed aggressive, and had a good attempt foiled moments later on a nice tackle in the box by Kyle Doucette. The Marauders missed a chance when a long Adams free kick nearly connected with his favorite target, Doucette. Joey Perras had to be at his best to keep Winnacunnet in check, coming off his line more than once to contest 50-50 balls, and making an excellent save after being shaken up. Hanover had another near miss in the 63rd minute when a pass across the face of the goal was nearly converted by Blake Palmer.
Winnacunnet shocked the large and supportive home crowd in the 66th minute during a rare foray into the Hanover end when Ziolkowski took the ball in the box and made a quick left to right run to create space for a short, hard, accurate shot past Perras. Hanover jumped right back into mix 90 seconds later when Latham Allison found room in a mosh pit in front of the Winnacunnet goal ti tie the game. Hanover had a few more looks in the final 10 minutes, but the best shot before the end of regulation was a close-range Warrior shot that sailed over the bar. There was no inevitability in this contest. The game was up for grabs.
That said, Hanover dominated the to 10-minute sudden victory overtime periods. Blake Palmer ripped a shot past the post, and Henry Aspinwall just missed connecting with it with a great far post run. Adams had a shot blocked for a dangerous corner. In the second overtime, the chances were even more numerous. Allison missed connenctions on a header. Palmer had another great shot slide just wide of the post. Allison and Matsuoka each had great looks before the final whistle.
Losing all of the time in penalties means that you're paranoid about penalties, and you tend to start practicing the second you reach postseason. Hanover had devoted some time to penalties during each postseason practice, and their demeanor during the shootout was a confident one. Adams led off for Hanover and cooly converted the leadoff penalty into the left corner. Marauder fans rejoiced when Joey Perras made a great dive too his left to deny Ziolkowski. Blake Palmer pulled his shot wide to the right and then Cam Hart converted, and the shootout was tied.
Eric Ringer's soft shot went right to Warrior goalie Nathan Today. but Hanover caught a break when Marcos Charlotte hit a shot that grazed the left upright and missed. The next two shooters for each team made their shots, with Judd Alexander and Latham Allison cooly converting for Hanover.
With the score tied at 5-5. Perras dramatically doffed his gloves and coldly hit his shot into the left corner. After Daniel Kim tied it for the Warriors, their third straight clutch shot, Matsuoka made no mistake for Hanover's fifth goal. Ryan Murray's shot almost made a bid for the parking lot, and Hanover had their cherished win. They survive, they advance, and their season continues.
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Busy Wednesday Ahead: Two Games, Uniform Return, Survey Completion , Shirt Distribution
Wednesday will be a full day for the soccer program.
First and foremost every player on every team must complete the post-season survey as soon as possible. Many did yesterday, but far too many did not. Here is the link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdi7T9NdcilnDZAJ7oa81FavuPep1OpIZB6HVNeduT7oUgJWQ/viewform
Please contact the Athletic Office if the link does not work for you. It is important that you complete this survey. It is anonymous, but they are tracking the number of respondents per team, and our numbers have disappointed the office. Please complete the survey.
Please return your uniforms. Players for all three sub-varsity teams should bring their uniforms.
I cannot be available during Activity Period, but I will be in school for the last two periods, and after school.
I will also begin distributing the Hanover Soccer shirts that every player on every team will receive, once he has returned his uniform.
All Junior Varsity players are invited to play in today's final intrasquad scrimmage. Coach Willie Johnson will be organizing the game, which kicks off at 3:00 p.m. on the HHS grass field. I will be at the game to collect uniforms and give out Hanover Soccer shirts.
The Varsity plays Winnacunnet High School in a first round NHIAA Division One playoff game hat 6:00 on the HHS turf. Please join us! Cash/check donations to the Haven will be doubled by an anonymous donor.
The Freshmen concluded their season with an exciting 3-1 victory over the Hanover Varsity Girls. It is a great rivalry, and has produce three excellent matches. The girls host a quarterfinal game on Sunday at 2:00, and would love our support! After a scoreless first half, Coach Grabill fired the team up with a bag full of GU. The already twitchy team began speaking and acting like higher primates, and swarmed the Marauder Girls. Jack Gardner scored a pair of excellent goals, and Hanover played excellent team defense. Plans are afoot to celebrate the season in style.
First and foremost every player on every team must complete the post-season survey as soon as possible. Many did yesterday, but far too many did not. Here is the link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdi7T9NdcilnDZAJ7oa81FavuPep1OpIZB6HVNeduT7oUgJWQ/viewform
Please contact the Athletic Office if the link does not work for you. It is important that you complete this survey. It is anonymous, but they are tracking the number of respondents per team, and our numbers have disappointed the office. Please complete the survey.
Please return your uniforms. Players for all three sub-varsity teams should bring their uniforms.
I cannot be available during Activity Period, but I will be in school for the last two periods, and after school.
I will also begin distributing the Hanover Soccer shirts that every player on every team will receive, once he has returned his uniform.
All Junior Varsity players are invited to play in today's final intrasquad scrimmage. Coach Willie Johnson will be organizing the game, which kicks off at 3:00 p.m. on the HHS grass field. I will be at the game to collect uniforms and give out Hanover Soccer shirts.
The Varsity plays Winnacunnet High School in a first round NHIAA Division One playoff game hat 6:00 on the HHS turf. Please join us! Cash/check donations to the Haven will be doubled by an anonymous donor.
The Freshmen concluded their season with an exciting 3-1 victory over the Hanover Varsity Girls. It is a great rivalry, and has produce three excellent matches. The girls host a quarterfinal game on Sunday at 2:00, and would love our support! After a scoreless first half, Coach Grabill fired the team up with a bag full of GU. The already twitchy team began speaking and acting like higher primates, and swarmed the Marauder Girls. Jack Gardner scored a pair of excellent goals, and Hanover played excellent team defense. Plans are afoot to celebrate the season in style.
Monday, October 28, 2019
Big Games Coming Up For All Hanover Players
As our fabulous fall weather continues, the games keep piling up on the Hanover Soccer calendar. There are a number of compelling games in the coming days.
, the
First, the Freshmen will scrimmage the Varsity Girls at 3:30 until 5:00 on Tuesday. The Freshmen will wear white tops, shorts and socks.
On Wednesday after school, all Junior Varsity players (1 and 2) will scrimmage on the HHS Grass Field, with a 3:00 p.m. kickoff. Coach Willie Johnson will work with the JV2 Captains to finalize two even teams. Spare freshmen may (and only may) be get a shot at subbing.
Wednesday evening, the Marauder Varsity hosts D1 foe Winnacunnet in a first-round NHIAA playoff game at 6:00 on the Merriman-Branch turf. Hanover is the #3 seed, and Winnacunnet, beaten by the Marauders 5-2 in Hampton earlier this season, is #14. If Hanover wins, they will host a Quarterfinal game on Saturday at 2:00. The other side of the bracket has #6 Keene hosting #11 Londonderry.
We have finished collecting food for the Haven this season, but a generous donor has given us a wonderful chance to collect cash/check donations. This anonymous donor will match any gift turned in tomorrow. Rob and Laura Adams and Deb Kennedy will be happy to accept checks or cast tomorrow. All donations will be doubled!
Please remember the meeting for ALL players on all teams on Tuesday at 10:45 during Activity Period. JV1 and JV2 players should return their uniforms to the meeting. Freshmen will return uniforms Wednesday after Tuesday's game.
Please remember the four-team Soccer Celebration on Tuesday November 12 at 6:00 in the HHS Gym. Dessert Buffet (with gluten-free), Participation Trophies (We're all Winners), and limited pontificating by coaches. All family members welcome.
, the
First, the Freshmen will scrimmage the Varsity Girls at 3:30 until 5:00 on Tuesday. The Freshmen will wear white tops, shorts and socks.
On Wednesday after school, all Junior Varsity players (1 and 2) will scrimmage on the HHS Grass Field, with a 3:00 p.m. kickoff. Coach Willie Johnson will work with the JV2 Captains to finalize two even teams. Spare freshmen may (and only may) be get a shot at subbing.
Wednesday evening, the Marauder Varsity hosts D1 foe Winnacunnet in a first-round NHIAA playoff game at 6:00 on the Merriman-Branch turf. Hanover is the #3 seed, and Winnacunnet, beaten by the Marauders 5-2 in Hampton earlier this season, is #14. If Hanover wins, they will host a Quarterfinal game on Saturday at 2:00. The other side of the bracket has #6 Keene hosting #11 Londonderry.
We have finished collecting food for the Haven this season, but a generous donor has given us a wonderful chance to collect cash/check donations. This anonymous donor will match any gift turned in tomorrow. Rob and Laura Adams and Deb Kennedy will be happy to accept checks or cast tomorrow. All donations will be doubled!
Please remember the meeting for ALL players on all teams on Tuesday at 10:45 during Activity Period. JV1 and JV2 players should return their uniforms to the meeting. Freshmen will return uniforms Wednesday after Tuesday's game.
Please remember the four-team Soccer Celebration on Tuesday November 12 at 6:00 in the HHS Gym. Dessert Buffet (with gluten-free), Participation Trophies (We're all Winners), and limited pontificating by coaches. All family members welcome.
Sunday, October 27, 2019
Practice and Game Schedule Oct. 28 - 30 All Players Please Read This!
HANOVER HIGH SCHOOL BOYS SOCCER
GAME AND PRACTICE SCHEDULE Oct. 28-30, 2019
Monday, Oct. 28
7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Varsity Practice – HHS Turf
Tuesday, Oct. 29
10:45 a.m. MANDATORY MEETING FOR ALL PLAYERS ON ALL FOUR TEAMS DURING ACTIVITY PERIOD. THIS IS FOR ALL FALL ATHLETES IN ALL FALL SPORTS. ATTENDANCE WILL BE TAKEN.
All JV1 and JV2 players should come to the meeting with all game and practice uniforms , including socks- washed, folded, bagged and clearly labeled. All players on all teams who return uniforms (Freshmen are due Wednesday) get a great new piece of soccer gear.
3:30 p.m. Freshmen Game vs. Varsity Girls – HHS Turf
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Varsity Practice HHS Turf
Wednesday, Oct. 30
10:30 a.m. All Freshmen return uniforms to the Gym during Activity Period. Return your uniforms and get sweet gear. Return all gear, including socks.
*We are hoping to schedule an all-JV scrimmage this week (Both JV1 AND JV2 teams combined and then redrafted. Maybe NH vs. VT). Stay tuned.
SAVE THE DATE: FOUR-TEAM SOCCER CELEBRATION AND DESSEWRT BUFFET – TUESDAY, NOV. 12 AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE HHS GYM. ALL FAMILIES WELCOME
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Freshmen Win State Championship Tournament
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.
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.
Friday, October 25, 2019
Marauders Top Londonderry 4-0, Finish The Season 13-2-1
Hanover finished the regular season on a high note, exploding for four second half goals in a ten-minute stretch to beat Londonderry 4-0 and end with a 13-2-1 record. The Marauders clinched third place in Division One behind Bedford and Central, and will open the playoffs at home on Wednesday.
Coming off a disappointing 2-2 tie with Pinkerton Academy, the Marauders never looked back, dominating play in the first half and then quickly disposing of the Lancers early in the second, with a pair of goals by Kyle Doucette, and single scores by Eric Ringer and Charlie Adams, who assisted on all three of the goals he didn't score.
The Marauders took control of the match early, earning four corner kicks in the first ten minutes and a total of eight in the half. They outshot Londonderry 11-1, and got closer and closer to scoring as the half unwound. Adams hit a dangerous shot in the seventh minute, clanging it off the top corner of the
goal. Blake Palmer got loose in the penalty area off of a free kick, but couldn't connect omg a close range attempt. Kyle Doucette headed an Adams corner kick over the bar at the 20 minute mark, a harbinger of things to come. Adams nearly flicked home a header five minutes later.
Five minutes from the end of the half, Hanover had their best look of all, as Henry Aspinwall fed Eric Ringer for a long shot that sailed just past the left upright. Doucette almost guided the eighth corner kick of the half into the net, but the half ended with the score tied at 0-0.
If the Marauders were worried or frustrated, they didn't show it after halftime, taking a 1-0 lead before three minutes had elapsed. As has been the case several times this season, Adams took advantage of a long throw-ion by Ringer, controlling the ball on the right side of the penalty area and turning to fire a dart inside the left post. Three minutes later, the roles were reversed, as a perfectly placed free kick by Adams found Ringer in a perfect position for an easy tap-in and a 2-0 lead. Is minutes later, Hanover's ninth corner kick struck pay dirt when Doucette looped an interesting looking semi-bicycle that floated over goalkeeper Colby DiMaggio. Hanover's stunning surge ended two minutes later when Doucette got his head on an Adams free kick and collected his fourth goal in the last four games.
There was work left to the done, and a host of Marauders were more than eager to see the match off. Defenders Noah Pikielny and Brendan Brigham, on in relief of Dylan Kotlowitz, were excellent. Doucette played a bit of defense, too, teaming with Judd Alexander to lock down the middle of the Marauder line. Will Blinkhorn, Toño Correa, Nathan Subrahmanian and Jacob Kubik-Pauw all took the pressure off the defense with their quality two-way play.
Hanover's outstanding effort puts them the front foot heading into the playoffs. They will train on the turf Monday and Tuesday, awaiting the announcement of the playoff brackets mid-day Monday. They will host a first-round playoff game on Wednesday, and home to play it under the lights at 6:00. If they win against the 14th seed, they will host a quarterfinal match on Saturday at 2:00, perhaps against Keene. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow down, Sparky. The Marauders have worked hard to prepare for the second season, and they will be well advised to take things a step at a time, perhaps recalling a pair of one-goal wins, one in overtime (Thanks, Judd) in last year's first two playoff games. This is the time of year that Hanover teams have lived for the past 55 years. Not their first rodeo.
Coming off a disappointing 2-2 tie with Pinkerton Academy, the Marauders never looked back, dominating play in the first half and then quickly disposing of the Lancers early in the second, with a pair of goals by Kyle Doucette, and single scores by Eric Ringer and Charlie Adams, who assisted on all three of the goals he didn't score.
The Marauders took control of the match early, earning four corner kicks in the first ten minutes and a total of eight in the half. They outshot Londonderry 11-1, and got closer and closer to scoring as the half unwound. Adams hit a dangerous shot in the seventh minute, clanging it off the top corner of the
goal. Blake Palmer got loose in the penalty area off of a free kick, but couldn't connect omg a close range attempt. Kyle Doucette headed an Adams corner kick over the bar at the 20 minute mark, a harbinger of things to come. Adams nearly flicked home a header five minutes later.
Five minutes from the end of the half, Hanover had their best look of all, as Henry Aspinwall fed Eric Ringer for a long shot that sailed just past the left upright. Doucette almost guided the eighth corner kick of the half into the net, but the half ended with the score tied at 0-0.
If the Marauders were worried or frustrated, they didn't show it after halftime, taking a 1-0 lead before three minutes had elapsed. As has been the case several times this season, Adams took advantage of a long throw-ion by Ringer, controlling the ball on the right side of the penalty area and turning to fire a dart inside the left post. Three minutes later, the roles were reversed, as a perfectly placed free kick by Adams found Ringer in a perfect position for an easy tap-in and a 2-0 lead. Is minutes later, Hanover's ninth corner kick struck pay dirt when Doucette looped an interesting looking semi-bicycle that floated over goalkeeper Colby DiMaggio. Hanover's stunning surge ended two minutes later when Doucette got his head on an Adams free kick and collected his fourth goal in the last four games.
There was work left to the done, and a host of Marauders were more than eager to see the match off. Defenders Noah Pikielny and Brendan Brigham, on in relief of Dylan Kotlowitz, were excellent. Doucette played a bit of defense, too, teaming with Judd Alexander to lock down the middle of the Marauder line. Will Blinkhorn, Toño Correa, Nathan Subrahmanian and Jacob Kubik-Pauw all took the pressure off the defense with their quality two-way play.
Hanover's outstanding effort puts them the front foot heading into the playoffs. They will train on the turf Monday and Tuesday, awaiting the announcement of the playoff brackets mid-day Monday. They will host a first-round playoff game on Wednesday, and home to play it under the lights at 6:00. If they win against the 14th seed, they will host a quarterfinal match on Saturday at 2:00, perhaps against Keene. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow down, Sparky. The Marauders have worked hard to prepare for the second season, and they will be well advised to take things a step at a time, perhaps recalling a pair of one-goal wins, one in overtime (Thanks, Judd) in last year's first two playoff games. This is the time of year that Hanover teams have lived for the past 55 years. Not their first rodeo.
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