Reserves Play Two Wet and Wild Games to Finish the Season

The Marauders Reserves squeezed in their final two games of the season despite the prevailing rainy conditions, losing 2-1 to the KUA Junior Varsity 2 team on Wednesday, and tying Newport 4-4 on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Hanover showed their toughness once again against a strong KUA JV 2 team. Facing off on the Merriman-Branch turf field under the light sprinkles of rain, Hanover had a strong showing with 24 players dressed to play. Both teams started the game hard and fast, as the ball moved much quickly on the wet turf. KUA netted the first goal in the tenth minute,  forced through on a low cross. Hanover was quick to answer scoring in the thirteenth minute from Francesco Navarro delivered from Benny Gantrish and Kaz Matsouka. After making a good run,  Kaz found Benny off the 18. Benny drew the defense and found Francesco holding the line, and he buried it on the right side. Not more than two minutes later, Arturo Johnson would make the save of the match, sprawling out to save a ball to his right and keeping the game knotted at 1-1. The first half continued to have more scoring chances with Hanover earning a free kick off the outside of the 18 yard box. A good kick was nearly netted by Gabe Loud, but couldn't knock it through the keeper. KUA would continue to apply its pressure, and forced the ball through our defense to net one with five minutes to play in the half.

After returning from the halftime break, both teams battled hard through the middle third of the field. Hanover would take its best chances on some long through balls. Both Kaz Matsuoka and Austen Thum would make great runs on balls from Tenzin Tashi and Sam Waite. The best chance Hanover would have would be in the fifty-sixth minute on yet another free kick off the edge of the 18. Taken by Benny Gantrish,  it sailed right to the area in front of the back post. Alassandro Vasconi would head it right under the cross bar bouncing to the ground. The ball got knocked around the mixer but Hanover could not net one to tie. Hanover would continue to pressure send up outside backs, but could not net an equalizer. The match ended 1-2, with the lights and players glowing.

The Reserves would conclude with a wild match in the occasional heavy rain on Thursday against Newport. The Dresden fields were sodden and wet from all the rain the last two days, but the game was able to kick off in just a light drizzle. Both teams would find their footing quickly though. Newport took a long shot from 22 yards out and scored eight minutes into the game. Hanover would respond right away, scoring a minute later.  Benny Gantrish made the run onto the 18 on a ball from Gabe Loud, and found the first of his four goals. Gantrish would score again in four minutes later after Jonathan Klotz took the ball down to the touch line and passed it to him. Benny would continue his torrid pace by scoring another at the sixteen-minute mark after another good through ball from outside the penalty area. Newport would answer after Gantrish had earned his hat trick, narrowing the score to 3-2.  Benny continued to his nose for the the net by making a diagonal run onto the 18 where Adam found him. Benny blasted it hard and high through the jumping goalkeeper's hands. Arturo Johnson would make a great diving save to keep the 4-2 lead into the half.

Newport's hard,  aggressive play earned them a goal six minutes into the second half, tackling the ball off Arturo and rolling it into the net.  The field conditions were slippery and both teams were slip sliding around. The game became a drudgery in the middle third with both teams pushing on each other's 18 yard lines. Unfortunately Newport put a hard slippery ball just off through Johnson two minutes from the end of the match.  The game would end 4-4 with the skies setting along with the season.

Hard fought and well played
Season never to forget
Let's do it next year!

Coach Willie