Reserves Tie Hartford, 1-1

The Hanover Reserve boys' team traveled to Quechee Monday afternoon to face Hartford High School's Junior Varsity squad. The previous match up had been a great success for the Marauders, who won quite comfortably at home by a 2-1 margin. The Hartford team was comprised of massively tall and strong players. Not fazed by the size differences, Hanover took to the field with an aggressive mindset and game plan, emphasizing quick attack and wing play.

Both teams recorded their first shots at net within the first four minutes of the game. Duncan Piper proved that he was more than capable and very aware of his surroundings, making eight saves in the first half. Eben Holbrook and Steve Gofer held the midfield well, quickly countering any forward movement towards the Marauder net. Ryan O' Rourke and Nick D'Orsi had several chances and made sure Hartford knew they would both be threats on the right flank while Mitch Curry practiced his slipping and sliding technique on the left due to indoor soccer shoes on an outside pitch. The reserve team's legion of doom in the back, led by Matt Couture, Daniel Wilson, Bei Dai and Zach Estes, proved time and time again that they had no interest in letting Hartford retain possesion in their territory. The half ended in a scoreless tie.

Hartford came into the second half kick off determined and aggressive charging into a prepared Hanover defense. Play immediately returned to back and forth action up the field, with charging runs from David White and an intense James Choi. Oren Wilcox and Sawyer Brooks stiffened their upper lips and challenged Hartford's midfield incessantly. In the 60th minute a Hartford corner kick was lofted into the danger area only to be caught well by Duncan Piper. Unfortunately, the ball had too much force and bounced out of his grip and over his head into the Marauder net, making the score Hartford 1, Hanover 0.

Determination rekindled, the Maroon players brought the ball back to midfield for the start. Hartford's coach made it quite clear to his team that "the next five minutes are important." What an understatement that turned out to be. Alex Brown and Mitchell Curry combined together to moved the ball down the left. Ever wide floating Brown broke off repeated tackles making the Hartford star centerback regret ever challenging him. Brown made a cross in front of the net passing the Hartford goalie, defensemen, and David White only to be blasted into the back of the Hartford net by the oncoming part-time right midfielder Ryan O'Rourke, tying the score at 1-1.

The equalizer deflated Hartford morale and caused them to go above and beyond what was required defensively, making repeated infringements on O'Rourke and Michael Yukica who was floored by a Hartford center back in the air, earning him a warning. The final minutes of the game were tense and fast on both sides with Steve Gofer reappearing as a striker making a blinding run towards net and a one on one situation stopped by the net minder. Hartford's last gasp effort was a shot taken at the right of the top of the eighteen that quickly glided wide of the net on the grass and out of play. O'Rourke continued to harass and be harassed equally on the right and fought hard taken nearly eight throw ins and four or five corner kicks. At the final whistle it was Hanover 1, Hartford 1. A very well played match from the Reserve boys! Congratulations on another top performance. Thank you to all the parents and fans who attended. Tuesday's 4:00 p.m. practice is optional.