JV Keeps Rolling With a 3-2 Victory at Keene

The Hanover JV team won again with a dominance that was not indicated by the final score.  The sophomore squad started the game, but in the beginning, the intensity of the Manchester Central game earlier in the week was lacking, and both teams came out flatly.  Eventually the Blackbirds began to mount some runs as they used speed to get behind the maroon defenders.  Alvaro Cooper provided a needed spark at midfield, and the shots that Keene launched were easy saves or sailed off the mark without any real danger of converting.

The junior group substituted at the 20 minute mark, and the tone of the game immediately changed. Constant attack and pressure from our boys led to great saves from the outstanding Keene goalie, Nate Taylor, but one bounced back to the Blackbird center back who kicked the ball the wrong way for an own goal which started the Hanover scoring.  Taylor dove for a great save after Casey Starr led Robbie Murdza, who shot a screamer that was denied.  The pressure continued, and when Starr came in hard with the ball, the Keene keeper came out and was called for a hand ball just out of the box.  Starr quickly put the ball down with Taylor still out of position, and fed Yedne Atkins for the second Hanover goal, which left the goalie twisting to attempt an out of position  save which had him leave the contest with an injury.

Then, Murdza riddled the net against Keene’s substitute goalie off a Hazard assist for a 3 – 0 lead.

Starting the second half, the a weak clearance was plucked off by an eager Blackbird who dropped it off to the onrushing striker for the first Keene goal, a give away that made the score 3 – 1. 

Shots flew from the Hanover junior group through the end of the final half, but the Keene starter in the net had returned, and many shots were rejected, leaving the score without any change until the last minute when Keene brought things to within one with a relatively meaningless conversion on a bounding ball, making the final score 3 – 2. 

The visiting maroons had dominated the game, and as Coach Callanan had said, the team is coming together, peaking at just the right time.  Things are looking good as we move into October, with the playoffs looming at month’s end.  Come down for the next game, and catch the fun.  Games next week include away at Manchester Memorial Tuesday then finally on the home grass Wednesday against Nashua North.  Come and root for the good guys!