Hanover Outguns Pembroke 6-0

The Marauders shook off any ill effects of their recent loss and regained their scoring touch in a one-sided game against Pembroke Academy, scoring early and often to earn a 6-0 victory Friday evening at chilly Merriman-Branch Field. There was a hint of frost in the air at kickoff, but Hanover was red hot from the start, taking a 1-0 lead on Junior Eric Jayne's sixth goal of the season, a first time volley into the corner on a nice feed from Ben Harris in the fifth minute. Both Jayne and Harris were buzzing the Pembroke goal, and when they took a break prior to the 20-minute mark, it didn't take long for Isaiah Fariel to double the score with his second goal of the season, assisted by hard-working Jonathan Fenton, who came close to scoring several times before turning playmaker and earning his first varsity point.

Ben Harris then took the game over with two long-range bombs in rapid succession, giving the Marauders a 4-0 lead to close out the half. Nate Hanna assisted on the first and Jayne collected the helper on the second.

Even with a number of substitutes in the lineup to start the second half, the quality of play remained high, as Hanover camped out in the Pembroke half of the field and dominated the play. Seven minutes into the half Sean Gemunden controlled the ball on the right flank and sent a sweet centering pass to Trey Rebman at the top of the penalty area. Rebman drilled a shot just under the crossbar for his first varsity goal, making the score 5-0.

A new back four of Umland, Tecca, Smith and Bentivoglio entered the game and acquitted itself splendidly, with Robin making an outstanding tackle minutes after coming in, saving the clean sheet for the Marauders. All four handled the ball confidently and started a number of counterattacks. Equally strong at midfield was the duo of Ross Johnston and Brendan Barth, flanked by Adam Kline-Schoder and Sam Farnham. Forrest Pratt broke into the scoring column in the 64th minute, taking a pass from Roland Hermann-Stanzel deep on the right side and hitting a long shot that tucked into the far upper corner from a severe angle.

The only remaining drama in the match came with 12 minutes left, when an errant computer somewhere in Omaha (or any angry abutter, tired of all of the cheering) pulled the plug on three of the four light towers, plunging the field into near darkness. While both teams waited for the lights to turn on, several of the started made the mistake of challenging the ball boys to a small-sided game and were promptly defeated. Rob Johnstone, camped in the stands in a trench coat and fake beard, cheered wildly. Wednesday's coming.

When the lights came back on line, the Marauders on the field made the wait worth it by playing intelligent, attractive soccer. Fenton and Pedro Celaya came close to scoring several times, and Chris Tecca came roaring out of the back to head a centering pass just wide, imitating his hero Gunnar Shaw.

Next week the Marauders host back to back games on the turf, hosting Bishop Brady on Tuesday at 6:00, and resuming the even more storied Lebanon rivalry on Wednesday at 6:30. The latter game will also encompass the 4th Annual Haven Food Drive. All players, parents and spectators from both teams (Lebanon works hard on this, too!) are asked to being non-perishable food items to be collected for the food pantry at The Haven in White River Junction. The need has never been greater, and the potential for a big crowd may help the Upper Valley soccer community do their part to help its neighbors.

The Marauder Junior Varsity also got on the winning track against Pembroke, beating the visitors 3-1 on goals by Connor Gordon, Ian Strohbehn (assisted by Ryan Brigham), and by Brigham on a well-executed free kick, assisted by Christopher Harwick. Alex Woods stopped every Pembroke shot, allowing only a well-placed goal by one of his own defenders.