The Hanover boys beat a determined Merrimack Valley team 1-0 in overtime Friday at Merriman-Branch field, courtesy of a 40-yard laser to the far upper corner by Sean Gemunden. After dominating regulation play with a 24-2 shot margin, the Marauders moved to 2-0 on the young season on the senior midfielder's first career goal. Oddly, it was the third time in the past four home games that Hanover had beaten Merrimack valley 1-0. After dispatching the Pride 1-0 in their regular season finale last year, the Marauders then duplicated the feat in the NHIAA Quarterfinals.
Hanover dominated the first half, rolling up a 12-0 shot margin and authoring a 4-1 edge in corner kicks. The visiting Pride were intelligent and tenacious on defense, however, and were able to counterattack at least as far as the defensive third, where they were stopped cold by the back line of Gunnar Shaw, Dan Remillard, Nate Hanna and Matt Barth. A number of Marauders
had creditable scoring opportunities, with two shots by Ben Harris narrowly missing the upright, and a header by Isaiah Fariel being gobbled up by MV goalkeeper Codi Labreque. Midfielder Joe Carey created several scoring bids at the edge of the penalty area, but the half ended as it had begun, in a scoreless deadlock.
The Marauders wasted little time renewing the attack in the second half, and this time some of the scoring opportunities were downright serious. Eric Jayne was particularly dangerous up front, nearly connecting on a header on a centering pass from Hayden Pressey-Murray, and hitting a rocket from the right side that Lebreque met at the near post. Gunnar Shaw nearly duplicated his scoring feat from Tuesday's Kearsarge match, heading a corner kick on goal, only to be denied by Lebreque. Both Pressey-Murray and Aaron Segura had hard shots that barely missed connections.
The Hanover defense was tested rarely, but two Merrimack Valley opportunities were dangerous. Senior goalkeeper Sam Gest had to make a diving save on a slow shot by striker
Aaron Smith, and then had to come of his line to dive at the feet of attacker D'Mahl McFadden to snuff out another opportunity.
The Marauders stayed composed as the match moved into overtime, and it didn't take long for them to be rewarded. The Hanover defense won a ball on their left flank, and it was played to Dan Remillard, who expertly swung it to Matt Barth at midfield. Barth had the time and composure to locate Sean Gemunden, lurking on the right touchline with a world of space and time. The first-year senior moved quickly but didn't rush, and hit a ball that went exactly where it was supposed to go, across the face of the goal 40 yards away and driven hard. Although senior striker Jonathan Fenton was in perfect position off the far post, his finishing touch wasn't needed. The ball soared unerringly over the outstretched arms of a backpedaling Labreque and into the far upper left corner. Gemunden was buried by a mob of grateful teammates, and the Marauders had a well-deserved win, and a 2-0 season record.
The classy MV players were gracious in defeat. They had battled hard and put themselves in position to win the game had the Marauders faltered. Fortunately for their home team, their intelligence and tenacity on defense and patience on offense yielded them their third nearly identical result against a team that will surely find their way into the playoffs again this year.
And though the Marauders have a ways to go before they can even begin thinking about post-season play, the can just as surely savor a win that marked their ability to get a result. This was more than "yet another typical Hanover win". This particular version of the Marauders, young in many ways, may have an awareness of what's needed to succeed, but now they have shown that they can write their own history, and not worry about preceding teams.
Next on the agenda for Hanover is a tougher test, as they entertain the Hartford Hurricanes on Tuesday night at 5:30. Although these two sides are familiar foes in off-season play, this is the first fall meeting in nearly a decade. A veteran team guided by Coach Steve Sass, dean of Upper Valley soccer mentors, the Vermonters bring with them skill, competitiveness, and a deep thirst
for a win against their neighbors. This match has all of the makings of an instant classic, and the potential to bring out the best in both sides.
Friday, September 4, 2009
JV Soccer Beats Merrimack Valley 10-0
The Junior varsity boys beat Merrimack Valley 10-0 on Friday at the historic Hanover H.S. grass pitch, moving to 2-0 on the young season. After the older guys staked the Marauders to a 4-0 halftime lead, the youngsters took over with a six-goal second half. In all, eight different Hanover players found the back of the net, and a total of thirteen had at least one point. The scoring summary:
1st Half
Keegan Gantrish (Connor Gordon)
Alex Dodds (Connor Schoen)
Ryan Brigham (Zach Taylor)
Brigham (Chris Harwick)
2d Half
Peter Bensen (Harwick)
Jacob LaPoint (unassisted)
LaPoint (Alex Pratt)
Ian Strohbehn (Chris Stephens)
Pratt (LaPoint)
Harwick (Daniel Osheyack)
Next game for the JV is Tuesday at 4:30 against Hartford on the Quechee Green
1st Half
Keegan Gantrish (Connor Gordon)
Alex Dodds (Connor Schoen)
Ryan Brigham (Zach Taylor)
Brigham (Chris Harwick)
2d Half
Peter Bensen (Harwick)
Jacob LaPoint (unassisted)
LaPoint (Alex Pratt)
Ian Strohbehn (Chris Stephens)
Pratt (LaPoint)
Harwick (Daniel Osheyack)
Next game for the JV is Tuesday at 4:30 against Hartford on the Quechee Green
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Boys Soccer Schedule Sept. 3-9
Thursday, Sept. 3
Reserve Practice at Norwich 4:00 - 5:30
JV Practice at Huntley 4:00 - 5:30
Varsity Practice at HHS Turf 7:45 - 9:15
Friday, Sept. 4
Reserve Practice at Norwich 4:00 - 5:30
JV Game vs. Merrimack Valley at HHS Grass 4:00
Varsity Game vs. Merrimack Valley at HHS Turf 4:00
Saturday, Sept 5/Sunday, Sept. 6
All Teams Off
Monday, Sept. 7
NO Reserve/JV Practice
Varsity Practice at HHS Turf 6:30 - 8:00
Tuesday, Sept. 8
Reserve Practice at Norwich 4:00 - 5:30
JV Game at Hartford (Quechee Green) 4:30
Varsity Game vs. Hartford at HHS Turf 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 9
Reserve Game at Lebanon 4:30
JV Practice at Huntley 3:30
Varsity Practice at HHS Turf 3:00 - 4:30
Reserve Practice at Norwich 4:00 - 5:30
JV Practice at Huntley 4:00 - 5:30
Varsity Practice at HHS Turf 7:45 - 9:15
Friday, Sept. 4
Reserve Practice at Norwich 4:00 - 5:30
JV Game vs. Merrimack Valley at HHS Grass 4:00
Varsity Game vs. Merrimack Valley at HHS Turf 4:00
Saturday, Sept 5/Sunday, Sept. 6
All Teams Off
Monday, Sept. 7
NO Reserve/JV Practice
Varsity Practice at HHS Turf 6:30 - 8:00
Tuesday, Sept. 8
Reserve Practice at Norwich 4:00 - 5:30
JV Game at Hartford (Quechee Green) 4:30
Varsity Game vs. Hartford at HHS Turf 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 9
Reserve Game at Lebanon 4:30
JV Practice at Huntley 3:30
Varsity Practice at HHS Turf 3:00 - 4:30
Hanover Beats Kearsarge in Season Opener
The Hanover boys opened the 2009 season with a well-played 3-1 victory over a spirited Kearsarge team under the lights in North Sutton Tuesday night. Eric Jayne scored twice and Gunner Shaw headed home a big insurance goal while the defense stifled the home team. Leading 1-0 at halftime, the Marauders turned it on in a strong second half, outshooting Kearsarge 13-3 while exercising a strong territorial edge.
The first half was spotty, with most of the action at midfield. Both teams managed a few long-range shots, but these were mostly exploratory until the duo of Jayne and Ben Harris jumped back onto the match with 12 minutes to play after a brief respite on the benchin favor of speed demons Jonathan Fenton and Isaiah Fariel. Right midfielder Forrest Pratt hit a looping cross into the Kearsarge box that looked harmless until Jayne ghosted in front of Cougar goalkeeper Brett Bascom and gently redirected the ball past him for a 1-0 lead that held until halftime.
The second half was scintillating, and it didn't take long for the action to heat up. One minute in, Joe Carey sent Jayne in clean on a breakaway, and his shot five-holed an advancing Bascom, only to clatter off the inside of his ankle and go over the endline for a corner. Minutes later, Harris looked like he had a clear path to goal, only to be roughly taken down by.....Jayne.
Oops.
Cruising along with a 1-0 lead and patiently hunting for a second score, the Marauders hit a bump in the road when Kearsarge was awarded a free kick 12 yards out of the penalty area. Cougar center back Noah Marsh thumped a decent shot on goal that was blocked by Hanover
netminder Stefan Dyroff, who couldn't control the rebound. Kearsarge striker Jerel Ward outraced everyone to the ball and slotted it home, and the match was tied.
This was the opportunity that Kearsarge needed to re-insert themselves into the game, but Hanover's resiliency was equal to the task. Barely two minutes later, Joe Carey hit a long ball
toward the Cougar goal, and the shot short-hopped Bascom, who spilled it right in front of the lurking Jayne. The junior striker expertly controlled the ball and pulled it away long enough to dance to his left and rip a shot into the open net for a 2-1 lead and a dagger in Kearsarge's collective hearts. There were still twenty minutes left, but everyone save for a vocal assistant coach knew that it was game over.
Eight minutes later, it was academic. Hanover gained another corner kick, and Pratt did what he does best and nailed a far post Exocet that Shaw headed perfectly into the net for a 3-1 lead.
Some of the best offensive moments of the night followed, as the hungry Marauders pressed for more. Jayne hit an amazing cross field pass from the right touchline at Hayden Pressey-Murray, who one-timed it to Harris who one-timed a dangerous shot that just missed connecting. Late in the match, Harris lofted a free kick over the Kearsarge defense and into the path of Jayne, and again the connection barely missed.
In the meantime, the Marauder defense continued its game-long airtight performance. Shaw and Dan Remillard were dominating in the air, and made several critical tackles in the box when even a small mistake would have yielded a goal. Nate Hanna took care of business in his own end, and looked very dangerous moving up the left flank. Matt Barth's performance looked far more mature than might have been expected from his first varsity start, and played anumber of balls with confidence and precision.
Joe Carey and senior newcomer Aaron Segura were tireless at midfield, providing the key connection between the defense and attack, and winning more than their share of 50-50 balls in heavy traffic.
The Marauder Junior Varsity also had an auspicious opening, defeating their Kearsarge counterparts 4-1. Chris Harwick opened the scoring in the first half, and Eli Connolly potted a pair before the interval to give the Bananas a 3-1 lead at halftime. Connor Gordon added the final tally in a match that saw every player get good playing time. Rookie defender Ben Manning was very impressive in his debut, and fellow frosh Zach Taylor turned a few heads with
a rocket from 35 yards that just cleared the crossbar.
Both teams return to action on Friday, hosting Merrimack Valley at 4:00. The JV will play onthe HHS grass field, and the Varsity will be on the rug. Merrimack Valley is no stranger to Merriman-Branch Field, having played three times there in a two-week stretch last October.
After losing 1-0 to the Marauders late in the regular season, the Pride beat Lebanon 4-2 in a first-round NHIAA playoff match before losing 1-0 to the Marauders in the quarterfinals.
"The win over Kearsarge was a good start, and it gives us something to build on," commented Coach Grabill. "Merrimack Valley will be a stern test. They are coming in here with no fear, and have high hopes for their season this year. It should be a great game."
The first half was spotty, with most of the action at midfield. Both teams managed a few long-range shots, but these were mostly exploratory until the duo of Jayne and Ben Harris jumped back onto the match with 12 minutes to play after a brief respite on the benchin favor of speed demons Jonathan Fenton and Isaiah Fariel. Right midfielder Forrest Pratt hit a looping cross into the Kearsarge box that looked harmless until Jayne ghosted in front of Cougar goalkeeper Brett Bascom and gently redirected the ball past him for a 1-0 lead that held until halftime.
The second half was scintillating, and it didn't take long for the action to heat up. One minute in, Joe Carey sent Jayne in clean on a breakaway, and his shot five-holed an advancing Bascom, only to clatter off the inside of his ankle and go over the endline for a corner. Minutes later, Harris looked like he had a clear path to goal, only to be roughly taken down by.....Jayne.
Oops.
Cruising along with a 1-0 lead and patiently hunting for a second score, the Marauders hit a bump in the road when Kearsarge was awarded a free kick 12 yards out of the penalty area. Cougar center back Noah Marsh thumped a decent shot on goal that was blocked by Hanover
netminder Stefan Dyroff, who couldn't control the rebound. Kearsarge striker Jerel Ward outraced everyone to the ball and slotted it home, and the match was tied.
This was the opportunity that Kearsarge needed to re-insert themselves into the game, but Hanover's resiliency was equal to the task. Barely two minutes later, Joe Carey hit a long ball
toward the Cougar goal, and the shot short-hopped Bascom, who spilled it right in front of the lurking Jayne. The junior striker expertly controlled the ball and pulled it away long enough to dance to his left and rip a shot into the open net for a 2-1 lead and a dagger in Kearsarge's collective hearts. There were still twenty minutes left, but everyone save for a vocal assistant coach knew that it was game over.
Eight minutes later, it was academic. Hanover gained another corner kick, and Pratt did what he does best and nailed a far post Exocet that Shaw headed perfectly into the net for a 3-1 lead.
Some of the best offensive moments of the night followed, as the hungry Marauders pressed for more. Jayne hit an amazing cross field pass from the right touchline at Hayden Pressey-Murray, who one-timed it to Harris who one-timed a dangerous shot that just missed connecting. Late in the match, Harris lofted a free kick over the Kearsarge defense and into the path of Jayne, and again the connection barely missed.
In the meantime, the Marauder defense continued its game-long airtight performance. Shaw and Dan Remillard were dominating in the air, and made several critical tackles in the box when even a small mistake would have yielded a goal. Nate Hanna took care of business in his own end, and looked very dangerous moving up the left flank. Matt Barth's performance looked far more mature than might have been expected from his first varsity start, and played anumber of balls with confidence and precision.
Joe Carey and senior newcomer Aaron Segura were tireless at midfield, providing the key connection between the defense and attack, and winning more than their share of 50-50 balls in heavy traffic.
The Marauder Junior Varsity also had an auspicious opening, defeating their Kearsarge counterparts 4-1. Chris Harwick opened the scoring in the first half, and Eli Connolly potted a pair before the interval to give the Bananas a 3-1 lead at halftime. Connor Gordon added the final tally in a match that saw every player get good playing time. Rookie defender Ben Manning was very impressive in his debut, and fellow frosh Zach Taylor turned a few heads with
a rocket from 35 yards that just cleared the crossbar.
Both teams return to action on Friday, hosting Merrimack Valley at 4:00. The JV will play onthe HHS grass field, and the Varsity will be on the rug. Merrimack Valley is no stranger to Merriman-Branch Field, having played three times there in a two-week stretch last October.
After losing 1-0 to the Marauders late in the regular season, the Pride beat Lebanon 4-2 in a first-round NHIAA playoff match before losing 1-0 to the Marauders in the quarterfinals.
"The win over Kearsarge was a good start, and it gives us something to build on," commented Coach Grabill. "Merrimack Valley will be a stern test. They are coming in here with no fear, and have high hopes for their season this year. It should be a great game."
Monday, August 31, 2009
Directions to Kearsarge
Hanover vs. Kearsarge
Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009
JV kickoff 4:15
Varsity kickoff 6:15
Directions:
Rt. 89 South to Exit 10 (No. Sutton)
Left at the end of the ramp under Rt. 89
Travel 1/4 mile and take the first right on North Road
The high school is on the left on one mile
Driving time: 40 minutes
Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009
JV kickoff 4:15
Varsity kickoff 6:15
Directions:
Rt. 89 South to Exit 10 (No. Sutton)
Left at the end of the ramp under Rt. 89
Travel 1/4 mile and take the first right on North Road
The high school is on the left on one mile
Driving time: 40 minutes
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Soccer Schedule August 31- Sept. 2
Monday, August 31
Reserve Practice in Norwich 4:00 - 5:30
(The bus will leave HHS at 3:30 and return at 6:00)
JV/Varsity Practice at Huntley 4:00- 5:30
(Players are responsible for their own transportation)
Tuesday, Sept. 1
Reserve Practice in Norwich 4:00 - 5:30
JV Varsity Game at Kearsarge (JV 4:15, varsity 6:15)
Bus departs at 2:15. Players will miss their final period, and are responsible for informing their teachers prior to Tuesday. Players are responsible for arranging to make up any work missed.
Wednesday, Sept. 2
Reserve Practice in Norwich 3:00 - 4:30
(The bus will depart HHS at 2:30, and return at 5:00)
JV Practice at Huntley 3:00 - 4:30
Varsity Practice on HHS turf field 5:15-6:45
Reserve Practice in Norwich 4:00 - 5:30
(The bus will leave HHS at 3:30 and return at 6:00)
JV/Varsity Practice at Huntley 4:00- 5:30
(Players are responsible for their own transportation)
Tuesday, Sept. 1
Reserve Practice in Norwich 4:00 - 5:30
JV Varsity Game at Kearsarge (JV 4:15, varsity 6:15)
Bus departs at 2:15. Players will miss their final period, and are responsible for informing their teachers prior to Tuesday. Players are responsible for arranging to make up any work missed.
Wednesday, Sept. 2
Reserve Practice in Norwich 3:00 - 4:30
(The bus will depart HHS at 2:30, and return at 5:00)
JV Practice at Huntley 3:00 - 4:30
Varsity Practice on HHS turf field 5:15-6:45
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