Reserves End Season With a Loss to Keene JVs

Saturday morning brought us a chilly start and fantastically well played match by the Marauder Reserve team. Missing several players to start, Hanover took to the field with a starting eleven that included. Alex Brown, Michael Yukica, James Choi, Jonathan Kenkel, Robert Wild, Eben Holbrook, Neils Keulhert making his debut at left back filling in for PSAT taking Bei Dai, Matthew Couture, Zach Estes, and Daniel Wilson.

Winning the coin toss before hand, Hanover took the kick and made immediate inroads towards the Keene net, determined and aggressive. The first ten minutes were even and strong with shots testing both keepers. Keene's very fast strikers found it impossible to make any progress passed Daniel Wilson on the right and slipped into the center blowing by the defense and sliding one into the side netting behind Ryan O'Rourke for a 1-0 lead.

Undaunted and familiar with not scoring the first goal in matches, the return of Daniel "Bermuda" Slayton brought with it a quick reply off his head coming from a perfect corner kick provided by Robert Wild. The half was far from over with a new fire within them the Marauders the team had to scramble to stop a kick off to goal line run led by the speedsters of Keene up top. Pressure returned towards the Keene end when Mike Yukica was brought down outside the box on the left side of the pitch. Left footed free kick wizard in training Mitch Curry lined up a cross into the box the was redirected strongly and accurately by Michael Yukica. Blowing past the keeper, the ball found the net. Yukica's first goal of the season was reminiscent of his last game time goal early in the season against the JV girls' team. Hanover now led, 2-1.

With time still left Daniel Slayton was determined to put another one into the back of the net making runs towards the Keene goal repeatedly to no avail until a few fancy moves and bumps led him on a full speed run straight towards the right side corner where he struck another into the net. At halftime, Hanover led Keene 3-1.

Hanover met opposition from an inspired Keene side in the second half. They scored to to get withing a goal early in the second half, but still players like David White, Steve Gofer, and Alex Brown made charging runs towards net. Bei Dai returned into his usual spot rounding out the superbly skilled back line. The speed of Keene really took its toll on Hanover's midfield with many runs from Keene into dangerous areas only to be stopped by Ryan O'Rourke. With seven minutes left Keene equalized, making the score 3-3, and with time winding down Hanover found themselves facing overtime. Pressure from Keene was so strong that in the final two minutes of the half another Keene striker netted a shot from ten yards out into the top corner. No time was left for any successful run towards net. A true heart-breaker, but filled with many great plays and not lacking in the goals department.

Congratulations to the Reserve team on a great match and a fantastic season. All the players have come along way in skill, vision, sportsmanship, and mentality since the sweltering days in August. It has been a pleasure getting to know all the players, both myself, and Coaches Callanan, Grabill, and Bourdon look forward to their progress as players and students in the future.

- Jason Landers

Players are requested to return game and practive jerseys, socks, and shorts to either the Athletic Office, or Coach Grabill by the end of next week. Please have them washed and baged with the player's name in the bag. The Reserve team will join the Varsity and JV teams on Tuesday, Nov. 17th for a joing Awards Celebration and Talent Show at the high school. Details will be forthcoming, but be sure to save the date. We would love to have some parental help in organizing an end-of-season dinner for players, parents and coaches.