Junor Varsity Enjoys Two Easy Wins Against Memorial and Nashua North

The Junior Varsity had two easy outings at midweek, beating Manchester Memorial on the road on Tuesday by a score of 5-0, and returning home on Wednesday to defeat Nashua North 10-1.

At Memorial, the Marauders scored four times in the first half to take control of the game. Goalkeepers Owen Brooks and Harry Olszewski and their defensive mates shut down the Crusader attack.  Robbie Murdza got the scoring started at the 21 minute mark with the sliding shot, assisted by Jack Hazard.   Then the boys were rolling.  Yedne Atkins scored what would be his first of four goals over the two games, and Hazard converted from the far post, deftly receiving the Peter Huizenga cross.  Peter then sent his second assist over to Atkins to make it   4 – 0 at halftime.

The lead  increased after intermission, with Dan Healy scoring from the outside from a David Siegne feed.  Final score, 5 – 0.  Hanover, as the team ran their record to 7 – 3, and prepared for a game against Nashua North less than 24 hours away.

Returning home on Wednesday, Hanover won their fourth straight game, beating Nashua North 10-1. The win was their their sixth in their last seven matches. .  Coach Callanan tried to stop the action early against the clearly outmatched visitors, and most of the Hanover players, while still playing hard soccer, moved the ball without fighting to score or the score would have been more lopsided.  

Opening the game, Yedne Atkins sent a barrage of shots to the net.  Then Dan Healy started the scoring, when George Geraghty sent a beautiful high bounder near the net that the streaking DanMan poked in for the first of what would be many goals for the home team.  Yedne followed with a one touch goal, making up for a lack of power with precision, down and away from the helpless keeper,  and it was 2 – 0 Hanover.

A penalty kick was awarded to Nashua when it looked like it might matter,  and the shot from the spot found home for the only visitor goal of the afternoon, and the only score of the two games in two days.  This was a result of the constant outstanding play at midfield, improving defense, and good goalkeeping on the few shots that Hanover faced..  The midfield play of Jack Hazard, Dan Healy, Griffin Johnson, Jensen Dodge, David Seigne, George Geraghty, and Casey Starr is the real backbone of this streaking team.  They defend and attack, depending on their role and the flow of the game, but they set a tough line to get past.  When the opposition does succeed and squeak through, the back line is increasingly good at ending it and clearing the ball before decent shots can occur.  It was a team defensive effort Tuesday and Wednesday, led by Jack Pattision, Lucas Adams-Blackmore, Addison Wanner and Sam Ives. 

Keepers Owen Brooks and Harry Olszewski were rarely called on, but did their good work when needed.

There was too much scoring to describe them all.  Here’s the list beyond those already mentioned.

            •  Jensen Dodge, assisted by Luke Messersmith

            •  Griffin Johnson, again assist from Messersmith

            •  Casey Starr

            •  Yedne Atkins (2^nd Goal)

            •  Robbie Murdza, from Dan Healy

            •  Jack Hazard, from Inigo Panos

            •  Messersmith for the last two, assisted by David Seigne and  Casey Starr

The boys are on fire, winning in bunches, but face a real challenge on the road (again) Friday against a strong Pinkerton squad.  We will be short a few important players, but the depth of the team and the continual equal playing time should make up for any absences.  Our record now stands at 8 – 3.  As Coach Callanan said, the team has come together at just the right time.  

Reminder:  The bus for the Pinkerton game will depart at 12:15.