Thanks to Kristin Shaw and Kevin Peterson for running the scoreboard during home games this season.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Keeping Track of Time
Thanks to Kristin Shaw and Kevin Peterson for running the scoreboard during home games this season.
Thanks to the Concession Crew
This was the first year that the Friends of Hanover Soccer have taken on the task of offering concessions at home games. At the beginning of the season, the Friends of Hanover Soccer were asked to contribute to the purchase of the "Snack Shack". After offering concessions at 3 regular season games and 2 playoff games, Friends of Hanover Soccer were able to almost pay off the initial contribution towards the purchase of the shack. Next year concessions should be a revenue source for the Friends of Hanover Soccer.
Many parents were extremely generous in providing baked goods and chili for sale at the concession stand. Thank you very much for this.
Additionally, many parents were very giving of their time during the games to work at the concession stand. Again thank you very much for this as well.
Finally, Celeste Wetherell and Amy Stephens did a great job organizing the concessions. Major Props to them.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Last Home Game for Class of 2008
Matt Wetherell
Sam Peterson
Dylan Riesssen
Oliver Horton
Casey Maue
Cal Felicetti
Ben Harwick
Angus Kennedy
Aussie Cyrus
Erik Barth
Eric Barthold
Paul Burchard
NASHUA TELEGRAPH Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Marauders shut down Cavaliers
Class I Boys Soccer semifinals: Hanover 2, H/B 0
By GARY FITZ, Telegraph Staff
gfitz@nashuatelegraph.com
EXETER – Before Tuesday night's Class I boys soccer semifinal against fifth-ranked Hollis/Brookline, Hanover High School coach Rob Grabil made sure his team knew exactly what it was up against.
"I told them this was a Hollis team that beat Souhegan 6-1 in the season opener,'' Grabil said. "We played them at home in the midseason when they had some kids out.
"I warned the team, this is not the Hollis team we saw that day. Hollis is a well-organized, well-coached team, and I think you saw that out there tonight.''
Grabil's team heeded the warning, and the Marauders went out and did what they've done all season, completely shutting down the opposing team's offense en route to a 2-0 win to advance to the Class I final on Saturday.
It was still just 1-0 in the final two minutes before Hanover scored a late goal to add a cushion. But the Marauders (17-0-2), who have given up just four goal all season, marked talented Cavaliers midfielder Owen Hawkins tightly and otherwise completely shut down the Hollis attack.
"They have a lot of speed and transition is what their game is all about,'' Hollis/Brookline coach Scott Zarba said. "There isn't one player on that team that doesn't know what he's going to do with the ball before he touches it.
"We did run for the last 35 minutes and challenge them, but when we did get inside the 18 they just cluster.''
Against a smothering defense which began the season with 11 straight shutouts and hasn't allowed a goal in their last five games, it took 33 minutes for Hollis to get its first shot on goal. It was struck from 25 yards out by Ryan Rodgers and was caught just inside the left post by Hanover goalkeeper Benjamin Harwick. It would turn out to be the Cavaliers' best chance of the game.
Hanover struck first 13 minutes into the game when Henry Caldwell slid home a feed from Austin Cyrus. The Marauders wouldn't get on the board again until Casey Maue headed home a lose ball in front of the Hollis net in the final minute.
The loss ended an eight-game Cavaliers winning streak, which came after they dropped four of five matches during an injury plagued midseason stretch.
"It was a great run,'' Zarba said. "We had our share of injuries, but we developed some depth and the kids really stepped up.''
Zarba singled out the play of midfielder Kyle Walton, and defenders Aaron Landolt and Brett Angevine, who helped neutralize a high-powered Hanover offense that has outscored opponents 79-4 so far.
So in Saturday's final it will be the state's stingiest defense against its most prolific goal scorer, second-seeded Bow's Ryan Obolewicz, whose three goals against Souhegan in Tuesday night's other semifinal game him 31 on the season.
Class I Boys Soccer semifinals: Hanover 2, H/B 0
By GARY FITZ, Telegraph Staff
gfitz@nashuatelegraph.com
EXETER – Before Tuesday night's Class I boys soccer semifinal against fifth-ranked Hollis/Brookline, Hanover High School coach Rob Grabil made sure his team knew exactly what it was up against.
"I told them this was a Hollis team that beat Souhegan 6-1 in the season opener,'' Grabil said. "We played them at home in the midseason when they had some kids out.
"I warned the team, this is not the Hollis team we saw that day. Hollis is a well-organized, well-coached team, and I think you saw that out there tonight.''
Grabil's team heeded the warning, and the Marauders went out and did what they've done all season, completely shutting down the opposing team's offense en route to a 2-0 win to advance to the Class I final on Saturday.
It was still just 1-0 in the final two minutes before Hanover scored a late goal to add a cushion. But the Marauders (17-0-2), who have given up just four goal all season, marked talented Cavaliers midfielder Owen Hawkins tightly and otherwise completely shut down the Hollis attack.
"They have a lot of speed and transition is what their game is all about,'' Hollis/Brookline coach Scott Zarba said. "There isn't one player on that team that doesn't know what he's going to do with the ball before he touches it.
"We did run for the last 35 minutes and challenge them, but when we did get inside the 18 they just cluster.''
Against a smothering defense which began the season with 11 straight shutouts and hasn't allowed a goal in their last five games, it took 33 minutes for Hollis to get its first shot on goal. It was struck from 25 yards out by Ryan Rodgers and was caught just inside the left post by Hanover goalkeeper Benjamin Harwick. It would turn out to be the Cavaliers' best chance of the game.
Hanover struck first 13 minutes into the game when Henry Caldwell slid home a feed from Austin Cyrus. The Marauders wouldn't get on the board again until Casey Maue headed home a lose ball in front of the Hollis net in the final minute.
The loss ended an eight-game Cavaliers winning streak, which came after they dropped four of five matches during an injury plagued midseason stretch.
"It was a great run,'' Zarba said. "We had our share of injuries, but we developed some depth and the kids really stepped up.''
Zarba singled out the play of midfielder Kyle Walton, and defenders Aaron Landolt and Brett Angevine, who helped neutralize a high-powered Hanover offense that has outscored opponents 79-4 so far.
So in Saturday's final it will be the state's stingiest defense against its most prolific goal scorer, second-seeded Bow's Ryan Obolewicz, whose three goals against Souhegan in Tuesday night's other semifinal game him 31 on the season.
Manchester Union Leader Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Bow, Hanover set up I boys' soccer final
By JOHN HABIB
Staff Sports Writer
EXETER – Ryan Obolewicz wasn't kidding when he said Bow was a second-half team.
The senior forward tallied a hat trick, including two of his team's three second-half goals, as the second-ranked Falcons ousted 11th-ranked Souhegan of Amherst, 4-2, in the semifinals of the Class I boys' soccer tournament last night at William Ball Stadium.
Bow (17-1-1) will return to Eustis Field on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. to meet two-time defending state champion Hanover (17-0-2), a 2-0 winner over fifth-ranked Hollis-Brookline. Bow, searching for its first Class I title, and Hanover did not meet in the regular season.
Bow and Souhegan were deadlocked at the intermission, but the Falcons took control of the game after scoring two goals in a span of 56 seconds for a 3-1 cushion. The goals came off the feet of Obolewicz and senior forward Dorian Hohm with 25 minutes left.
"It seemed after we scored those goals that they (Souhegan) started to let up a little bit,'' said Obolewicz, who now has 30 goals this season. "It's hard for any team to come back down by two in the second half. We seem to play stronger as the game enters the second half.''
Obolewicz, who scored Bow's first-half goal just 9:02 into the contest, supplied the Falcons with a 4-1 bulge at the 55:19 mark. Tim Eagan answered a minute later for the Sabers, but it was too late.
"Bow outworked us in the second half,'' said Souhegan coach David Saxe, whose team played shorthanded over the final 60:44. Souhegan senior Mathieu Bemis was ejected from the game for arguing a call after his infraction awarded Bow a penalty kick.
Bow's Kyle Geddes missed the net on the spot shot, keeping it a 1-0 game. Souhegan did manage to tie the game before halftime on a goal from junior forward Michael Peret, but Saxe said playing the game shorthanded took its toll.
"It makes it tougher on a bigger field and after a while we started to get tired,'' said Saxe. "Bow has a nice aggressive team and Obolewicz is a tricky little player who is tough to defend. He's going to be a solid player on a collegiate team.''
Bow will be severely tested by Hanover, which pitched its 16th shutout of the season. The Marauders have allowed four goals this season, none in three post-season games.
Junior forward Henry Caldwell, on an assist from junior Yosef Osheyack, gave Hanover the early lead just 13:10 into the match. The insurance goal came in the final minute off a corner when Casey Maue rammed his team-leading 13th goal into the cage for the clincher.
"Hollis was very competitive and all the credit goes to my team for being ready against a quality opponent,'' said Hanover coach Rob Grabill. "We were very patient, waiting for our opportunities, and we didn't hand them anything.''
Hanover contained senior forward Owen Hawkins, one of the key players this season for the Cavaliers, who were held to one shot on goal.
"Hanover marked him and didn't let him turn all night,'' said Cavaliers coach Scott Zarba, whose club ended its campaign at 14-5.
By JOHN HABIB
Staff Sports Writer
EXETER – Ryan Obolewicz wasn't kidding when he said Bow was a second-half team.
The senior forward tallied a hat trick, including two of his team's three second-half goals, as the second-ranked Falcons ousted 11th-ranked Souhegan of Amherst, 4-2, in the semifinals of the Class I boys' soccer tournament last night at William Ball Stadium.
Bow (17-1-1) will return to Eustis Field on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. to meet two-time defending state champion Hanover (17-0-2), a 2-0 winner over fifth-ranked Hollis-Brookline. Bow, searching for its first Class I title, and Hanover did not meet in the regular season.
Bow and Souhegan were deadlocked at the intermission, but the Falcons took control of the game after scoring two goals in a span of 56 seconds for a 3-1 cushion. The goals came off the feet of Obolewicz and senior forward Dorian Hohm with 25 minutes left.
"It seemed after we scored those goals that they (Souhegan) started to let up a little bit,'' said Obolewicz, who now has 30 goals this season. "It's hard for any team to come back down by two in the second half. We seem to play stronger as the game enters the second half.''
Obolewicz, who scored Bow's first-half goal just 9:02 into the contest, supplied the Falcons with a 4-1 bulge at the 55:19 mark. Tim Eagan answered a minute later for the Sabers, but it was too late.
"Bow outworked us in the second half,'' said Souhegan coach David Saxe, whose team played shorthanded over the final 60:44. Souhegan senior Mathieu Bemis was ejected from the game for arguing a call after his infraction awarded Bow a penalty kick.
Bow's Kyle Geddes missed the net on the spot shot, keeping it a 1-0 game. Souhegan did manage to tie the game before halftime on a goal from junior forward Michael Peret, but Saxe said playing the game shorthanded took its toll.
"It makes it tougher on a bigger field and after a while we started to get tired,'' said Saxe. "Bow has a nice aggressive team and Obolewicz is a tricky little player who is tough to defend. He's going to be a solid player on a collegiate team.''
Bow will be severely tested by Hanover, which pitched its 16th shutout of the season. The Marauders have allowed four goals this season, none in three post-season games.
Junior forward Henry Caldwell, on an assist from junior Yosef Osheyack, gave Hanover the early lead just 13:10 into the match. The insurance goal came in the final minute off a corner when Casey Maue rammed his team-leading 13th goal into the cage for the clincher.
"Hollis was very competitive and all the credit goes to my team for being ready against a quality opponent,'' said Hanover coach Rob Grabill. "We were very patient, waiting for our opportunities, and we didn't hand them anything.''
Hanover contained senior forward Owen Hawkins, one of the key players this season for the Cavaliers, who were held to one shot on goal.
"Hanover marked him and didn't let him turn all night,'' said Cavaliers coach Scott Zarba, whose club ended its campaign at 14-5.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Varsity vs Hollis Brookline, Oct 30, Semifinals
HANOVER TOPS HOLLIS TO RETURN TO THE FINALS
The Hanover boys earned a return ticket to the NHIAA Class I Finals with a workmanlike 2-0 victory over Hollis-Brookline. Junior Henry Caldwell led the attack for the Marauders, scoring the winning goal at the 13-minute mark and then setting up the clinching goal in the final minutes with a corner kick that Captain Casey Maue headed home for his team-leading 13th goal.
The victory kept Hanover undefeated through 19 games and vaulted them into the Championship game against Bow at 4:30 on Saturday at Bill Ball Stadium at Exeter High School. The Marauders are 17-0-2 on the season, and earned their 16th shutout of the campaign by blanking Hollis-Brookline.
Hollis-Brookline entered Tuesday’s semifinal after overturning a strong Oyster River team in overtime, and they showed both athleticism and good organization. Hanover slowly established a territorial edge, and generated the first good scoring chance at the ten minute mark when Matt Wetherell headed a Ben Rimmer corner kick over the bar. Soon afterwards, Coach Grabill removed leading scorer Eric Barthold to rest his sore foot, inserting Caldwell on the left flank. The versatile junior wasted little time making an impact, ripping a left-footed rocket from 15 yards just inside the near post for 1-0 lead.
Hanover kept probing the Cavalier defense, with Yosef Osheyack making a number of dangerous runs and the midfield duo of Aussie Cyrus and Angus Kennedy keeping a firm hold on the center of the park. Hollis-Brookline managed its only real shot on goal 15 minutes from the end of the half when midfielder Ryan Rodgers hit a challenging shot from well outside the box that forced Marauder goalkeeper Ben Harwick to make a diving save. Although no more shots found their way through, Hanover looked tentative as the half ended, and the 1-0 lead looked precarious.
Grabill challenged his troops to play more aggressively after the interval, and they responded magnificently in the first 15 minutes of the second half, buzzing in and around the Hollis end of the field, and re-establishing an edge that wore the Cavaliers out. Hollis goalie Sean Hamilton was forced to make several tough saves to keep the game in hand, and his teammates were unable to muster much in the way of a counterattack.
Hanover stayed calm as the clock wound down, and with a few minutes to play Angus Kennedy made a great run into the Hollis box, blasting a left-footed drive over the bar. Not to be outdone, Maue finished off the match inside the two-minute mark, taking advantage of his near-post position to stretch his scoring streak to six games. In seven NHIAA playoff games over two seasons, Maue has scored in six of them including two straight semifinals.
Hanover heads back to Bill Ball Stadium for a Saturday showdown with second-seeded Bow, 4-2 victors over Souhegan in the other semifinal. The Falcons will have revenge on their minds, remembering their 1-0 loss to the Marauders two years ago in the Class I Final at Stellos Stadium. They bring a 17-1-1 into this year’s final, with a 2-I loss to Oyster River as the only loss on their ledger. “This is what the finals are all about,” commented Grabill. “The two best teams in the state going at it with everything on the line. We’re anticipating our biggest challenge of the season, which means that there is a good chance we’ll have the opportunity to play our best soccer of the year. That’s what we have been working hard and hoping for. We can’t wait.”
The Hanover boys earned a return ticket to the NHIAA Class I Finals with a workmanlike 2-0 victory over Hollis-Brookline. Junior Henry Caldwell led the attack for the Marauders, scoring the winning goal at the 13-minute mark and then setting up the clinching goal in the final minutes with a corner kick that Captain Casey Maue headed home for his team-leading 13th goal.
The victory kept Hanover undefeated through 19 games and vaulted them into the Championship game against Bow at 4:30 on Saturday at Bill Ball Stadium at Exeter High School. The Marauders are 17-0-2 on the season, and earned their 16th shutout of the campaign by blanking Hollis-Brookline.
Hollis-Brookline entered Tuesday’s semifinal after overturning a strong Oyster River team in overtime, and they showed both athleticism and good organization. Hanover slowly established a territorial edge, and generated the first good scoring chance at the ten minute mark when Matt Wetherell headed a Ben Rimmer corner kick over the bar. Soon afterwards, Coach Grabill removed leading scorer Eric Barthold to rest his sore foot, inserting Caldwell on the left flank. The versatile junior wasted little time making an impact, ripping a left-footed rocket from 15 yards just inside the near post for 1-0 lead.
Hanover kept probing the Cavalier defense, with Yosef Osheyack making a number of dangerous runs and the midfield duo of Aussie Cyrus and Angus Kennedy keeping a firm hold on the center of the park. Hollis-Brookline managed its only real shot on goal 15 minutes from the end of the half when midfielder Ryan Rodgers hit a challenging shot from well outside the box that forced Marauder goalkeeper Ben Harwick to make a diving save. Although no more shots found their way through, Hanover looked tentative as the half ended, and the 1-0 lead looked precarious.
Grabill challenged his troops to play more aggressively after the interval, and they responded magnificently in the first 15 minutes of the second half, buzzing in and around the Hollis end of the field, and re-establishing an edge that wore the Cavaliers out. Hollis goalie Sean Hamilton was forced to make several tough saves to keep the game in hand, and his teammates were unable to muster much in the way of a counterattack.
Hanover stayed calm as the clock wound down, and with a few minutes to play Angus Kennedy made a great run into the Hollis box, blasting a left-footed drive over the bar. Not to be outdone, Maue finished off the match inside the two-minute mark, taking advantage of his near-post position to stretch his scoring streak to six games. In seven NHIAA playoff games over two seasons, Maue has scored in six of them including two straight semifinals.
Hanover heads back to Bill Ball Stadium for a Saturday showdown with second-seeded Bow, 4-2 victors over Souhegan in the other semifinal. The Falcons will have revenge on their minds, remembering their 1-0 loss to the Marauders two years ago in the Class I Final at Stellos Stadium. They bring a 17-1-1 into this year’s final, with a 2-I loss to Oyster River as the only loss on their ledger. “This is what the finals are all about,” commented Grabill. “The two best teams in the state going at it with everything on the line. We’re anticipating our biggest challenge of the season, which means that there is a good chance we’ll have the opportunity to play our best soccer of the year. That’s what we have been working hard and hoping for. We can’t wait.”
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Directions to Semifinal Game at Exeter High School on Tuesday, Oct 30
Directions to Exeter High School - From Hanover High School(See First Map Above)
Go South on Lebanon St, continue through light at COOP Food Store
Lebanon Street becomes Rt 120
Continue on Rt 120 South to I-89Turn left to merge onto I-89 S
Continue to follow I-89 S
Take the exit onto I-93 S toward Manchester/Boston
Go through Toll Booth
Stay to the right and follow signs to Boston/ I-93S
(See Second Map Above)
Merge left onto RT-101 E toward Seacoast/Portsmouth
(See Third Map Above)
Take exit 8
Turn left at end of ramp onto N Rd
Turn right onto Epping Rd/Rt 27
Proceed approx 1.2 miles to school on left
Varsity vs Merrimack Valley, Oct 26, Quarterfinals
Hanover Ends Home Season With Big NHIAA Win
The Hanover boys played their last home game of the season Friday and left Merriman-Branch Field in spectacular fashion, pouring eight goals past a good Merrimack Valley team in an NHIAA quarterfinal match that sends the Marauders to Exeter for a Final Four appointment with Hollis-Brookline on Tuesday.
Senior co-Captain Casey Maue scored four goals to pace the torrid Hanover attack, netting a hat trick at the death of the first half that put Merrimack Valley away for good. Maue’s fourth strike early in the second half tied him for the team lead with 12, and extended his scoring streak to five games. The Wildebeest has scored in six of his last seven NHIAA playoff games over the last two seasons, including the game winner in last year’s semifinal.
The win improved Hanover’s record to 16-0-2 and extended the Marauder unbeaten streak to 25 games over the past two seasons. The shutout was their fifteenth of the season, setting an alltime team record. Hanover’s goal-scoring total increased to 75, also setting an all-time school record for goals in a season. “These milestones are all well and good,” cautioned Coach Rob Grabill, “but they will mean a lot more if they come in the process of achieving the only objective which means much to us. There is a still a long road ahead of us before we can begin celebrating.”
It didn’t take the Marauders long to start the scoring against Merrimack Valley, which entered the game with a record of 11-4-2 and showed both athleticism and organization. The quality of the opposition helped Hanover raise its game, and they took a lead before the game was 10 minutes old. Angus Kennedy sent penetrating pass into the box for Ben Rimmer, whose shot was smothered by MV goalie Tyler Fenton. Maue pounced on the rebound and drive it into the net, and the rout was on. Nine minutes later Maue doubled the lead, knocking home an archetypal centering pass from the left flank by Eric Barthold. The score jumped to 3-0 at the thirty-minute mark when Cal Felicetti headed a Rimmer corner kick into the back of the net, triggering one of the better goal-scoring celebrations of the season. Twenty-even seconds before the end of the half Maue converted the rebound of an Eric Jayne shot for a 4-0 lead which seemed truly insurmountable.
Cautioned at halftime not to start celebrating, the Marauders did a good job managing the game, and ten minutes into the second half the Barthold-Maue collaboration connected for the fourth time in four maches and the lead was 5-0. Clearing the bench shortly thereafter hardly meant that the level of play decreased. Two minutes after Maue’s fourth goal the Marauders scored one of the best goal of the night when Barthold’s corner kick found Matt Wetherell at the far post. The senior center back, who would later hit one of his 35-yard rippers just wide, headed the ball back into the middle where it was volleyed home by fellow Lymie Henry Caldwell, the sixth goal of the game and the sixth of the season for Henri. Four minutes later, Angus Kennedy hit a long lead pass to put Kevin Dade in alone, and the junior defender-turned-striker executed a classy chip (in the exact spot where he had rehearsed the same move twice two days earlier) over the luckless Fenton.
Things quieted down after the three goals seven minutes, but the Marauders kept their clamps on the game, thanks to the solid midfield play of Paul Burchard, Erik Barth and Dylan Riessen, and the good work at right back from tap dance artiste Oliver Horton, who had only occasionally played position, but never missed a tackle. The rest of Hanover’s back four departed, ably replaced by Gunnar Shaw, Dan Remillard and Nate Hanna. Sam Gest, resplendent in good-luck yellow, picked up the save in relief of Ben Harwick in the Hanover goal. All that remained was a final goal by Eric Jayne, the Guru of Garbage, who fearlessly connected with a lovely cross from Dylan Riessen for his ninth goal of the season less than two minutes from time.
Hanover’s season switches to Bill Ball Field at Exeter High School and the NHIAA Final Four. It will be the Marauders’ fifth consecutive visit to the Class I semifinals, although it will be their first-ever postseason meeting with Hollis-Brookline. Hanover beat the Cavaliers 2-0 month ago, but this game is an entirely different proposition. H-B ace Owen Hawkins was on the bench the last time around, and his team could hardly be considered an upset winner over Oyster River in their 2-1 semifinal tilt. Several of the Cavalier losses this season occurred when the team was at less than full strength, and they will be a handful. The other semifinal pits second-seeded Bow and Souhegan, the best #11 seed in the history of the tournament, touted in this space only a week ago as a team to be feared. Lebanon and now St. Thomas know this only too well.
This is the first year that the Class I tournament will be played at Exeter, but the Marauders will feel right at home, having started each of the last two seasons with a scrimmage against the Blue Hawks, a certified Class L powerhouse. Having played the hosts over 160 minutes without conceding a goal, Hanover should not have too much trouble with the venue, no matter who they face. As far as playing a night game on field turf? Well, that should work out pretty well, too.
That said, the Marauders will be challenged as they haven’t been all season. That’s why Tuesday’s game could be one of the most attractive and well-played. “We’ve worked all season to play in a game like this, and we’re excited to have the opportunity, commented Grabill. “We are ready to work hard and honor the game, and if we are patient and fearless we hope to help create a memorable game for both teams and everyone watching. That’s why we have invested all of our time and energy. Thus far, it’s been a wonderful journey.”
The Hanover boys played their last home game of the season Friday and left Merriman-Branch Field in spectacular fashion, pouring eight goals past a good Merrimack Valley team in an NHIAA quarterfinal match that sends the Marauders to Exeter for a Final Four appointment with Hollis-Brookline on Tuesday.
Senior co-Captain Casey Maue scored four goals to pace the torrid Hanover attack, netting a hat trick at the death of the first half that put Merrimack Valley away for good. Maue’s fourth strike early in the second half tied him for the team lead with 12, and extended his scoring streak to five games. The Wildebeest has scored in six of his last seven NHIAA playoff games over the last two seasons, including the game winner in last year’s semifinal.
The win improved Hanover’s record to 16-0-2 and extended the Marauder unbeaten streak to 25 games over the past two seasons. The shutout was their fifteenth of the season, setting an alltime team record. Hanover’s goal-scoring total increased to 75, also setting an all-time school record for goals in a season. “These milestones are all well and good,” cautioned Coach Rob Grabill, “but they will mean a lot more if they come in the process of achieving the only objective which means much to us. There is a still a long road ahead of us before we can begin celebrating.”
It didn’t take the Marauders long to start the scoring against Merrimack Valley, which entered the game with a record of 11-4-2 and showed both athleticism and organization. The quality of the opposition helped Hanover raise its game, and they took a lead before the game was 10 minutes old. Angus Kennedy sent penetrating pass into the box for Ben Rimmer, whose shot was smothered by MV goalie Tyler Fenton. Maue pounced on the rebound and drive it into the net, and the rout was on. Nine minutes later Maue doubled the lead, knocking home an archetypal centering pass from the left flank by Eric Barthold. The score jumped to 3-0 at the thirty-minute mark when Cal Felicetti headed a Rimmer corner kick into the back of the net, triggering one of the better goal-scoring celebrations of the season. Twenty-even seconds before the end of the half Maue converted the rebound of an Eric Jayne shot for a 4-0 lead which seemed truly insurmountable.
Cautioned at halftime not to start celebrating, the Marauders did a good job managing the game, and ten minutes into the second half the Barthold-Maue collaboration connected for the fourth time in four maches and the lead was 5-0. Clearing the bench shortly thereafter hardly meant that the level of play decreased. Two minutes after Maue’s fourth goal the Marauders scored one of the best goal of the night when Barthold’s corner kick found Matt Wetherell at the far post. The senior center back, who would later hit one of his 35-yard rippers just wide, headed the ball back into the middle where it was volleyed home by fellow Lymie Henry Caldwell, the sixth goal of the game and the sixth of the season for Henri. Four minutes later, Angus Kennedy hit a long lead pass to put Kevin Dade in alone, and the junior defender-turned-striker executed a classy chip (in the exact spot where he had rehearsed the same move twice two days earlier) over the luckless Fenton.
Things quieted down after the three goals seven minutes, but the Marauders kept their clamps on the game, thanks to the solid midfield play of Paul Burchard, Erik Barth and Dylan Riessen, and the good work at right back from tap dance artiste Oliver Horton, who had only occasionally played position, but never missed a tackle. The rest of Hanover’s back four departed, ably replaced by Gunnar Shaw, Dan Remillard and Nate Hanna. Sam Gest, resplendent in good-luck yellow, picked up the save in relief of Ben Harwick in the Hanover goal. All that remained was a final goal by Eric Jayne, the Guru of Garbage, who fearlessly connected with a lovely cross from Dylan Riessen for his ninth goal of the season less than two minutes from time.
Hanover’s season switches to Bill Ball Field at Exeter High School and the NHIAA Final Four. It will be the Marauders’ fifth consecutive visit to the Class I semifinals, although it will be their first-ever postseason meeting with Hollis-Brookline. Hanover beat the Cavaliers 2-0 month ago, but this game is an entirely different proposition. H-B ace Owen Hawkins was on the bench the last time around, and his team could hardly be considered an upset winner over Oyster River in their 2-1 semifinal tilt. Several of the Cavalier losses this season occurred when the team was at less than full strength, and they will be a handful. The other semifinal pits second-seeded Bow and Souhegan, the best #11 seed in the history of the tournament, touted in this space only a week ago as a team to be feared. Lebanon and now St. Thomas know this only too well.
This is the first year that the Class I tournament will be played at Exeter, but the Marauders will feel right at home, having started each of the last two seasons with a scrimmage against the Blue Hawks, a certified Class L powerhouse. Having played the hosts over 160 minutes without conceding a goal, Hanover should not have too much trouble with the venue, no matter who they face. As far as playing a night game on field turf? Well, that should work out pretty well, too.
That said, the Marauders will be challenged as they haven’t been all season. That’s why Tuesday’s game could be one of the most attractive and well-played. “We’ve worked all season to play in a game like this, and we’re excited to have the opportunity, commented Grabill. “We are ready to work hard and honor the game, and if we are patient and fearless we hope to help create a memorable game for both teams and everyone watching. That’s why we have invested all of our time and energy. Thus far, it’s been a wonderful journey.”
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