The early-season battle at the top of the Division One table lived up to expectations for Hanover, which raised its game to beat a good Londonderry team 3-0. Asa Berolzheimer continued his early-season scoring binge with a pair of goals, and Jonah Levine opened his account with a superb strike.
To top things off, the Marauders got to celebrate "Go Orange With The Haven" by collecting half a ton of food and $500 in donations for the Haven's food shelf. We may see those orange socks again.
Although the game began typically as a midfield affair, it was clear that Hanover had come to play. They were pressuring the ball all over the field, and soon some of the Lancer players began showing some frustration with each other. Nevertheless, it was Londonderry that almost drew first blood. Given a free kick 30 yards out on the right side, Lancer striker Cody Woods launched a shot that clanged off the crossbar. Maybe Konrad Mitchell had it covered, Maybe he didn't. But it was a scary moment, given how easily momentum can turn in a game such as this. That's all speculation, because just past the 16-minute mark Hanover broke on top. Jonah Levine controlled the ball on the right side of the attacking zone, and slid a ball to Berolzheimer, who had enough time and space to hit a perfect first-time shot at curled under the bar from 24 yards out. It was his third highlight-reel goal of the young season. Fine. Keep 'em coming. Ten minutes later, Asa had a chance to double the lead, but clanged a short shot of the near upright. On the bench, Grabill tersely growled, "He owes us one."
Londonderry had some other good looks, and kept the back four busy. Ace Londonderry striker Nate Gaw shook loose for a turnround shot from six yards out that was right at Mitchell, who easily gobbled it up. The Marauders also kept the pressure on Londonderry by using their depth, and got good relief from Jake Acker and Josh Wallace in the center of the park.
The Marauders like to think of themselves as a second half team, and after the interval they demonstrated why they have earned that distinction, pressing Londonderry from the start. Six minutes in, Berolzheimer made a slick lead pass to Jamie Dinulos, breaking in from the right wing, and it took a diving save by Lancer goalkeeper Jeff Baroody to keep the Marauders off the board.
Ten minutes later, though, Jonah Levine hit a shot that no one could save, and Hanover took a 2-0 lead. Berolzheimer set the goal up, fighting with a Londonderry defender for a 50-50 ball that popped out to Levine at the top of the box, 25 years out. Jonah scorched a shot to the upper right corner that was, like, you know, OMG.
This was Hanover's third 2-0 lead in a row. Two games ago, against Concord, they coughed up a goal at the end of the match and were forced to battle to hang on. Last Friday against Exeter they held the lead, a significant improvement. This time around, they put the game out of reach by bringing on waves of subs and maintaining the quality of their defense, and then struck for a decisive goal with ten minutes remaining. Avery Kravitz, Tim Alibozek and Henry Allison gave the Mauarders a lot of juice on the flanks. Then, a Londonderry goal kick went straight to Berolzheimer in his favorite part of the field, and he punished the mistake with another decisive strike, his fifth of the young season.
Hanover then flaunted its depth, with Chris Powell, Will Smith and Reilly Decker reprising their good work against Exeter, and Adam Pikelny and Marcus Helble making their varsity debuts. More from them sooner rather than later. Adam showed his defensive grit with an excellent one-on-one duel against a Londonderry striker only yards from his goal. Konrad Mitchell kept his focus in goal, managing the match and making a sparkling play on a loose ball, diving headlong to punch it out of trouble.
The NHIAA Division One season is one-quarter over. Only one team is unbeaten and untied. The Marauders are alone at the top of the table with a 4-0 record, having played increasingly well against three perennial powers. Now they return to their secret lab at the Pasture to tinker on every aspect of their game. 'We've played well enough to earn some good results," commented Grabill, "but we know we can play better. We have to eliminate simple mistakes, communicate better, be more patient with our buildup, and just learn how to play better together. We are so much better than we were three weeks ago, but we have a long way to go".
Next up on the schedule is a road trip to Nashua to play an improved Nashua South squad at 2:30. Their road trip will continue the following Tuesday with a match at Salem. "One game at a time," cautioned the rapidly-aging Marauder mentor. "One game at a time."
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Freshmen Will Attend Varsity Game
The Freshman team will attend the Varsity home game at Merriman-Branch Field today as a group from 4:00 - 6:00 this afternoon.
Monday, September 8, 2014
Don't Forget the Haven Food Drive on Tuesday
We hope that everyone in the soccer program, and all of their classmates and friends, remember to bring a non-perishable food item to school on Tuesday to help make our Food Drive for The Haven a success. There will be a collection box by Ford's desk in the Atrium all day, and at the snack table during the varsity game. Payers/families wishing to make an additional cash donation (which will be matched by a generous challenge grant!) may make checks out to the Upper Valley Haven (please add Food Shelf in the memo) and give them to Ford Daley at the front desk, or any member of the HHS coaching staff. Thank you for supporting this worthy charity!
Reserves Open the Season With a 3-2 Loss at Mt. Royal
The Reserves opened their season with a well-played 3-2 loss to Mt. Royal Academy in a match played at sun-splashed Fisherfield Park in Newbury. Hanover opened brightly, swarming the Mt. Royal goal with a number of shots that resulted from a patient, precise passing attack. Tenzing Rumrill hit a sweet shot from the right flank that was headed just under the bar before the Mt. Royal keeper pushed it onto the crossbar with a desperate lunge of his hand. Kaz Matsuoka and Benny Gantrish both had good shots on goal, and Matsouka came close several more times. Mt. Royal scored the only goal of the half, however, when a well-placed free kick to the far post found an unmarked striker in the 34th minute.
The Marauders took the the initiative in the second half, scoring with ten minutes elapsed to tie the game. Following a corner kick, Gwynn Granizo Mackenzie for a header on goal that was saved, but Austen Thum was there to convert the rebound. Midway through the half, Thum's work created a cross for Sam Lutz, and Matsuoka was there on the other end, heading the cross home for a 2-1 Hanover lead.
Mt. Royal rallied, and tied the game with a free kick from 25 yards out that eluded the kick save of French exchange student Joseph "Call me Joe" Glock. Mt. Royal broke the tie five minutes from the end, as a Hanover goal kick was intercepted by a well-placed striker, who had no problem burying his shot for the winning goal.
The Reserves return to action on Friday with a road trip to Newport. Dismissal time is 2:30.
The Marauders took the the initiative in the second half, scoring with ten minutes elapsed to tie the game. Following a corner kick, Gwynn Granizo Mackenzie for a header on goal that was saved, but Austen Thum was there to convert the rebound. Midway through the half, Thum's work created a cross for Sam Lutz, and Matsuoka was there on the other end, heading the cross home for a 2-1 Hanover lead.
Mt. Royal rallied, and tied the game with a free kick from 25 yards out that eluded the kick save of French exchange student Joseph "Call me Joe" Glock. Mt. Royal broke the tie five minutes from the end, as a Hanover goal kick was intercepted by a well-placed striker, who had no problem burying his shot for the winning goal.
The Reserves return to action on Friday with a road trip to Newport. Dismissal time is 2:30.
Schedule Changes for Monday: Freshman Game Postponed
The Freshman home game against Concord today has been postponed. The Freshmen will practice on the turf at HHS from 3:30 - 5:00.
Varsity will practice on the turf from 5:00 - 6:45, immediately after film study which starts at 3:30.
Everyone in the program - please remember to bring non-perishable food items for The Haven to school tomorrow.
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Game and Practice Schedule Sept. 8-13
Monday, Sept. 8
2:00 p.m. Bus leaves for Reserve Game at Mt. Royal
3:30 p.m. Varsity Film Study – Room 250
3:40 p.m. Practice Bus Departs for Dresden Fields
4:00 p.m. Freshman Game vs. Concord – HHS Turf
4:00 p.m. Reserve game at Mt. Royal
4:00 – 5:30 Regular practice for JV at Dresden
6:00- 7:30 Varsity Practice – HHS Turf Field
All teams please
remember to bring food items for the Haven to school on Tuesday!
Tuesday, Sept. 8
3:40 p.m. Practice Bus Departs for Dresden Fields
4:00 – 5:30 Regular practices for Freshmen and Reserves at Dresden
4:00 p.m. Varsity and JV Home Games vs. Londonderry
Wednesday, Sept. 9
2:40 p.m. Practice Bus Departs for Dresden Fields
3:00 – 4:30 Regular practices for JV, Freshmen and Reserves at Dresden
4:30 – 6:00 Varsity Practice at Dresden Fields
Thursday, Sept. 11
3:30 p.m. Practice Bus Departs for Dresden Fields
4:00 – 5:30 Regular practices for JV, Freshmen and Reserves at Dresden
5:00 – 6:30 Varsity Practice – Dresden Fields
Friday, Sept. 12
2:30 p.m. Reserve Bus Departs for Newport
3:40 p.m. Practice Bus
Departs for Dresden Fields
4:00 – 5:30 Regular practice for Freshmen and JV at Dresden
4:30 p.m. Reserve Game at Newport
5:00 – 6:30 Varsity Practice at Dresden Fields
Saturday, Sept. 13
8:30 a.m. Reserve Bus Departs for Souhegan
11:00 a.m. Freshman Game vs. Exeter at Dresden Fields
11:00 a.m. Reserve Game at Souhegan
11:30 a.m. Varsity – JV Bus departs for Nashua South
2:30 p.m. Varsity and JV games at Nashua South
Looking ahead:
Tue. Sept. 16 Varsity and JV Soccer at Salem – 4:30
Fri. Sept 19 Freshman Soccer vs. Memorial – 4:00
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Marauders Handle The Heat and Manhandle Exeter 2-0
Friday's road trip to the frying field turf at Bill Ball Stadium in Exeter presented a number of challenges. First of all, the Blue Hawks are still always a threat in Division One soccer circles. It took an overtime goal by Rocco Linehan to beat them 1-0 in overtime last year, and that was in Hanover. Then there was the heat. The air temperature in Exeter at game time was 91. Fortunately, the Marauders handles both the heat and the Hawks and put together a dominating 2-0 victory on the strength of second half goal by Asa Berolzheimer and Jamie Dinulos, and an increasingly effective defense.
Hanover's first near-heatstroke experience happened three hours before game time, in the sweltering bowels of a bus with no AC. Fortunately, after 30 minutes of near-heatstroke, the Marauders stopped in Warner to change coaches, and the remainder of the trip was more temperate. Kudos to the Premier pit crew that made the changeover in record time. It was your basic NH Motor Speedway "four tires and tank of gas in 30 seconds" miracle.
One the team arrived at Exeter, they employed a three-pronged methodology for beating the heat:
stay in the shade (thanks for the tents, Strohbehns!), sub like crazy (thanks to the deep Marauder bench), and throw an icy towel on every player exiting the game (thanks for the idea, Jeni Frechette!).
That said, Hanover still had to play well, and they responded with their best effort of the season. It took a while for them to get going, but even though it took their offense a while to get into gear, the Marauder midfield dominated possession, and the defense limited Exeter to one shot, well-blocked by Max Greenwald. Hanover tried 12 shots over the course of the half, and attempted four corner kicks. The good news is that the Marauders were creating opportunities, even though the finishing was lacking. Jonah Levine sailed a shot wide. Jamie Dinulos played a nice ball across the face of the ball, but had no takers. Chris Powell had a nice go at the net.
With 10 minutes to play in the half, Hanover turned up the heat a bit. Noah Kahan hit a sweet volley that just missed the far post by a bot or two, and then crossed the ball after a run to the baseline that nearly got turned into the net by Jonah Levine.
All the while, the Marauders were shuttling subs in about out, which kept everyone fresher and also gave the non-starters a chance to show that they were ready for prime time. Josh Wallace, Jake Acker, Kahan, Powell, Avery Kravitz and Reilly Decker answered the call, and the results of the shuttle system didn't take long to manifest themselves in the second half.
There was one more sub to make during halftime, as starting goalkeeper Konrad Mitchell jammed his knee, and junior Connor Edson made his first varsity appearance in net. He did superbly, managing the game and doing particularly with timely distribution once the ball was in his hands.
Three minutes into the second half, the Marauders struck paydirt. Asa Berolzheimer hit a soft ball across the middle, but Cian Kelly stepped forward briskly to maintain possession, and hit a penetrating pass to the top of the Blue Hawk box. The ball was cleared, but Tim Alibozek won possession and hit a sweet ball to Jonah Levine, absorbing a hard hit after the fact. Levin held off another rough challenge and drove a low cross to the far post where it was met by Jamie Dinulos, who first-timed it over the line before Exeter keeper Henrik Barbin could scrape it off the line.
Hanover made it 2-0 fifteen minutes later after a long stretch of midfield play. Just after a new set of subs came on, Josh Wallace and Avery Kravitz got the ball deep in the Exeter end on the right flank. Exeter cleared, but the ball went straight to a lurking Cian Kelly. A fried Exeter midfielder made a half-baked challenge, but Kelly had far too much time, and he punished the mistake with a perfect cross into the box. Asa Berolzheimer barely had to move, heading the ball perfectly back across the
face of the goal and hitting side netting for his third goal of the season.
Hanover kept pressing, and might have had a third goal after Seth Stadheim, buzzing as usual in the box, almost converted a cross form Kahan before he was hauled down by a defender. Foul on big Seth, as the poor 6'2" defender stayed on the ground in a heap. Stadheim almost tallied again after nearly dispossessing the substitute keeper on a poor back pass. Noah Kahan almost floated a header over the keeper on a play reminiscent of Xavy Tchana's playoff goal against Timberlane last year, and the Kahan almost played the hard-working Kelly in alone.
Hanover's defense was hardly tested, although Luke Strohbehn, the best defender on any team that we've seen all year, made a great one on one defensive play deep in his end on one of Exeter's few forays. Will Smith joined the parade of subs with a creditable 10 minutes of coherent work, and in the end Exeter just couldn't answer a Hanover team that continues to find itself. Each outing has been better than the last, and the improvement could not come at a better time. Lurking just ahead is a showdown with 2-0 Londonderry at home on Tuesday at 4:00. This is an early-season clash between arguably the two best teams in the Division at the moment. There is much soccer to be played, and both Hanover and the Lancers figure to be title contenders, but there's a lot on the line . Having beaten the heat on Friday, the Marauders hope to apply a little of their own, and guard their house.
Hanover's first near-heatstroke experience happened three hours before game time, in the sweltering bowels of a bus with no AC. Fortunately, after 30 minutes of near-heatstroke, the Marauders stopped in Warner to change coaches, and the remainder of the trip was more temperate. Kudos to the Premier pit crew that made the changeover in record time. It was your basic NH Motor Speedway "four tires and tank of gas in 30 seconds" miracle.
One the team arrived at Exeter, they employed a three-pronged methodology for beating the heat:
stay in the shade (thanks for the tents, Strohbehns!), sub like crazy (thanks to the deep Marauder bench), and throw an icy towel on every player exiting the game (thanks for the idea, Jeni Frechette!).
That said, Hanover still had to play well, and they responded with their best effort of the season. It took a while for them to get going, but even though it took their offense a while to get into gear, the Marauder midfield dominated possession, and the defense limited Exeter to one shot, well-blocked by Max Greenwald. Hanover tried 12 shots over the course of the half, and attempted four corner kicks. The good news is that the Marauders were creating opportunities, even though the finishing was lacking. Jonah Levine sailed a shot wide. Jamie Dinulos played a nice ball across the face of the ball, but had no takers. Chris Powell had a nice go at the net.
With 10 minutes to play in the half, Hanover turned up the heat a bit. Noah Kahan hit a sweet volley that just missed the far post by a bot or two, and then crossed the ball after a run to the baseline that nearly got turned into the net by Jonah Levine.
All the while, the Marauders were shuttling subs in about out, which kept everyone fresher and also gave the non-starters a chance to show that they were ready for prime time. Josh Wallace, Jake Acker, Kahan, Powell, Avery Kravitz and Reilly Decker answered the call, and the results of the shuttle system didn't take long to manifest themselves in the second half.
There was one more sub to make during halftime, as starting goalkeeper Konrad Mitchell jammed his knee, and junior Connor Edson made his first varsity appearance in net. He did superbly, managing the game and doing particularly with timely distribution once the ball was in his hands.
Three minutes into the second half, the Marauders struck paydirt. Asa Berolzheimer hit a soft ball across the middle, but Cian Kelly stepped forward briskly to maintain possession, and hit a penetrating pass to the top of the Blue Hawk box. The ball was cleared, but Tim Alibozek won possession and hit a sweet ball to Jonah Levine, absorbing a hard hit after the fact. Levin held off another rough challenge and drove a low cross to the far post where it was met by Jamie Dinulos, who first-timed it over the line before Exeter keeper Henrik Barbin could scrape it off the line.
Hanover made it 2-0 fifteen minutes later after a long stretch of midfield play. Just after a new set of subs came on, Josh Wallace and Avery Kravitz got the ball deep in the Exeter end on the right flank. Exeter cleared, but the ball went straight to a lurking Cian Kelly. A fried Exeter midfielder made a half-baked challenge, but Kelly had far too much time, and he punished the mistake with a perfect cross into the box. Asa Berolzheimer barely had to move, heading the ball perfectly back across the
face of the goal and hitting side netting for his third goal of the season.
Hanover kept pressing, and might have had a third goal after Seth Stadheim, buzzing as usual in the box, almost converted a cross form Kahan before he was hauled down by a defender. Foul on big Seth, as the poor 6'2" defender stayed on the ground in a heap. Stadheim almost tallied again after nearly dispossessing the substitute keeper on a poor back pass. Noah Kahan almost floated a header over the keeper on a play reminiscent of Xavy Tchana's playoff goal against Timberlane last year, and the Kahan almost played the hard-working Kelly in alone.
Hanover's defense was hardly tested, although Luke Strohbehn, the best defender on any team that we've seen all year, made a great one on one defensive play deep in his end on one of Exeter's few forays. Will Smith joined the parade of subs with a creditable 10 minutes of coherent work, and in the end Exeter just couldn't answer a Hanover team that continues to find itself. Each outing has been better than the last, and the improvement could not come at a better time. Lurking just ahead is a showdown with 2-0 Londonderry at home on Tuesday at 4:00. This is an early-season clash between arguably the two best teams in the Division at the moment. There is much soccer to be played, and both Hanover and the Lancers figure to be title contenders, but there's a lot on the line . Having beaten the heat on Friday, the Marauders hope to apply a little of their own, and guard their house.
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