Reserves Split Games with Stevens and Coe Brown

The Marauder Reserves played back to back games against strong opposition Friday and Saturday, exhibiting some of their best soccer of the season. Hanover lost a well-played 2-0 game on the road against the Stevens Junior Varsity on Friday, and returned home Saturday to beat Coe-Brown 1-0 on Merriman-Branch Field.

Playing for the first time on turf against Coe-Brown, the Reserves were hoping for some fireworks, but instead the spacious skies greeted them with ample waves of rain. Persevering in the precipitation, Hanover played an airtight game defensively and demonstrated a cohesive passing attack. Rocket Robert Wild collected the Marauder goal midway through the first half with a blast that beat the Coe-Brown goalie on the near post. Forwards Alex Brown, Daniel Slayton, David Whiteand Michael Yukica kept up the pressure for the rest of the game, backed by solid center midfield play from Tor Hathaway, Nick D'Orsi, Sawyer Brooks and Beckenbauer-in-waiting Oren Wilcox.

In addition to Wild, the play of the wing midfielders was superb. Mitch Curry hit a monster free kick that barely cleared the crossbar, and James Choi provided a lot of energy. In the end, it was the defenders who earned top billing. Zach Estes was a monster in the middle, abetted by Bei Dai. Ethan Wilcox played one of his best games of the season, winning a number of one on one battles, and Daniel Wilson was a rock on the right side. Ryan O'Rourke collected a ho-hum shutout, ably fielding whatever came his way.

The Reserves continue their home stand next week with a Wednesday match against Lebanon, and a Friday contest against Thetford. Both games kick of at 4:00 p.m.