Hanover Wins Souhegan Staredown 2-1
The Hanover boys took another important step toward postseason with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over a strong Souhegan team on Saturday night. Goals by Casey Maue and Matt Wetherell and superb Marauder defense paved the way for Hanover’s 13th victory of the season, extending their two-year unbeaten streak to 21 games and maintaining their hold on the top of the table in Class I. The game, pitting two of New Hampshire’s perennial powers, had a playoff feel to it, and produced superb soccer on both sides of the ball.
Souhegan’s 9-5 record entering the game was deceiving. The Sabres play the toughest schedule in Class I, facing every top team, most of them twice. Although their regular season record sometimes suffers as a result, few teams will be better prepared for postseason play, and no one will want to see Souhegan in their bracket.
Hanover took their task seriously, however, and was more than ready for every challenge they faced from the Sabers. The first half was mostly a midfield affair, with each side playing strong defense. Hanover held an edge in play thanks to some excellent passing up front from strikers Casey Maue and Yosef Oshyack, and midfielders Angus Kennedy, Aussie Cyrus and Erik Barthold. Hanover’s best chances early on came from the outside, with Angus Kennedy grazing the crossbar on one free kick and blasting a second restart into the Souhegan defensive wall. The Sabres spent less time in Hanover’s end, but one foray was a dangerous one, with striker Tim Eagan breaking free for a shot that should have found paydirt. With the half winding down, Casey Maue’s hard work paid off when he won a ball in the box and worked free for a short shot that gave the Marauders a 1-0 lead with less than a minute to play in the half.
Hanover anticipated a strong push from Souhegan in the second half, but it was the Marauders who turned up the heat on their hosts, generating a number of good scoring chance in search of their second goal. Strong shots by Osheyack and Kennedy forced Souhegan goalie Jeremy Burrows to make some excellent saves. Ben Rimmer and Paul Burchard made great two-way contributions at midfield, and Kennedy was a two-way monster all night long.
Back in the Hanover end, the back four of Cal Felicetti, Matt Wetherell, Trevor Barlowe and Sam Peterson were ruling the air and doing a great job containing Souhegan’s attack, particularly speedy All-State midfielder Jonathan Harris, whose father was coached by HHS Coach Grabill 25 years ago. As the game wound down toward the ten-,minute mark, it looked as though Hanover might be content to play out the string and claim their first 1-0 win of the year. Harris had other ideas, however, breaking free on the right flank and coming in clean on the Hanover goal. Ben Harwick slid out and made a sliding save on Harris, but the ball popped free and striker Jesse Anderson was first to the ball, tying the game at 1-1.
With every reason to be frustrated, the Marauders wasted no time regaining the lead. Shortly after the kickoff, a foul gave Hanover a free kick forty yards out, and Angus Kennedy lofted a ball into the Sougehan penalty area, where a determined Matt Wetherell headed it home for his fourth goal of the season and a 2-1 lead. This one-goal advantage seemed safe, and as the clock wound down it was again Hanover pressing for more. The win was a very satisfying one, and gave the Marauders confidence that they wil be able to handle whatever the postseason hands out when the Class I tournament kicks off.
Hanover closes out the regular season this week with Tuesday’s derby with Lebanon and a road trip to Monadnock, a team fighting for a tournament berth. Then it’s time for the second season.
