Marauders Advance to Class I Semis With 2-0 Win Over MV

The Hanover boys soccer team defeated Merrimack Valley 2-0 Sunday afternoon in the NHIAA Class I Quarterfinal, advancing to the Semifinals on Thursday and a match with longtime rival Souhegan. The game will be at 6:00 in Bill Ball Stadium at Exeter High School.

Junior strikers Ben Harris and Eric Jayne led the attack for the Marauders with a goa and and assist. Top-seeded Hanover dominated the match, outshooting Merrimack Valley 23-7 and collecting 8 corner kicks to just two for the visitors.

After several near misses in the first half by Harris and sophomore striker Isaiah Fariel, the Marauders grabbed a 1-0 lead in the final minute of the half. Junior midfielder Forrest Pratt hit a lead pass for Jayne, who eat the defense on the right side of the Merrimack Valley penalty area and hit a bullet pass across the mouth of the goal that Harris converted for his 11th goal of the season.

Harris returned the favor early in the second half, crossing the ball to Jayne in front of the goal for a header that beat Pride goalkeeper Codi LaBreque to the near post. It was Jayne's 17th goal of the season, tying him for fifth all-time among Hanover single season scoring leaders.

The Marauders kept up the pressure for the remainder of the half, and only several spectacular saves by LaBreque kept the score at 2-0. The MV keeper denied Marauder defender Nate Hanna twice, and came off his line for a daring save to foil a breakaway shot by Hanover senior Jonathan Fenton.

Sam Gest collected his fifth shutout of the season for Hanover. Although he only needed to make two saves, one of them was highlight-reel material, as he raced out of the goal to dive at the feet of MV striker D'Mahl McFadden and deny him on a breakaway.

Hanover's win marked the third year in a row that they have eliminated Merrimack Valley in the Class I tournament, and was the tenth in a row this season for the Marauders. It was also their fourth straight shutout, as they continue their quest for their fifth consecutive Class I title. The path will become much more challenging on Thursday night when Hanover faces 16-2 Souhegan, 3-2 winners over upstart John Stark in their quarterfinals.