Hanover had every reason to be happy about last week's opening win at Londonderry, winning for the first time on that pitch and avenging last year's playoff loss. But the Marauders knew that Londonderry was rebuilding, and a shadow of last year's senior-laden squad. Exeter, Tuesday's opponent, was another matter. The Blue Hawks had been tabbed as a preseason top four team, and had won their opener 9-0. They had a strong center midfielder back from an Academy stint, and one of the top goalkeepers in the division. Thus, when Hanover rallied from an early deficit to dominate the second half and win the match 2-1 on a scintillating goal by Charlie Adams, they had reason to feel good. They are still putting the pieces in place and know that they can be better, but they have pocketed a pair of road wins against quality opponents, and school hasn't even started yet.
The match started inauspiciously for Hanover. Four minutes into the match, Exeter midfielder Hunter Smith beat Marauder keeper Patrick Logan to a 50-50 ball, rounded him, and deposited the ball into an empty net. The Marauders tightened up, and began to find the range on some longer shots as they neared the midpoint of the first half. Sam Strohbehn ticked the bar on one of his several long range attempts, and they got a lift when Luke Messersmith got his first playing time of the season.
Charlie Adams, who had replaced hard-working Casey Starr at striker, moved back to midfield when Starr re-entered, and tried to feed a ball to him. It was deflected by a defender and fell to Henry Kahl on the right flank. The junior winger hit a quick and efficient left-footer that blazed into the upper corner for a remarkable game-tying goal. With this lifeline firmly in hand, the Marauders never looked back. Their defense stiffened, with Roger Danilek and Ben Parrado contributing good relief minutes for stalwarts Adam Pikenly and Lucas Adams-Blackmore. Simon Kahan started at left back and continued his strong play, and then gave way for a short stretch that allowed Will Smith got his first minutes of the season. Jake Acker was a huge part of the defensive effort, and cleared a sure goal off the line from an uncontested Exeter header from a corner kick.
With a 1-1 lead at halftime, the Marauders had a right to feel pretty confident. Coach Grabill was a bit crabby at the interval, pointing out several areas which could be improved. Maybe chastened, maybe just happy to get back to work, Hanover took control right away in the second half, and piled up a shot advantage that eventually reached 11-2. David Seigne had some offerings from the left flank, where he played his second effective game in a row. Henry Kahl and Sam Strohbehn were both dangerous on corner kick from their preferred right corner. Would a goal come soon?
Fifteen minutes into the half, precocious freshman Adams conjured up the answer, creating a goal from almost nothing. Taking control of a ball in the left corner, he beat a defender to a spot on the baseline, took a step to his right to increase his angle by about seven degrees, and ripped a laser against the grain and inside the near post to give the Marauders a 2-1 lead.
Hanover did their best to hold the lead in the best way, continuing to press the offense. Casey Starr hit a wonderful turnaround shot that forced Blazak to make a spectacular diving save. Adams came out of the corner again and hit a high, bad-angle screamer that Blazak blocked. Luke Messersmith his a couple of very encouraging shots from his customary spot on the left side. Fresh legs kept shuttling in and out. Dillon Bradley and Elias Zinman both played well at midfield, keeping ball-winning stalwarts Jake Acker and Sam Strohbehn fresh.
Exeter kept working hard, and made several forays into the Marauder end, forcing center backs Sam Pych and Lucas Adams-Blackmore to make a number of tackles and blocks. Pat Logan came of his line superbly, and in the dying minutes first Pych and then Adam Pikelny made superb tackles in scary one-on-one situations to ice the win.
In the dying minutes of the match Hanover should have had a third goal. Adams broke into the Exeter box on a three-on-one counterattack, and had both Messersmith and Strohbehn to his left. The trio connected with each other, passing and then over-passing, and finally Messersmith launched a shot that smacked the crossbar, hit Blazak in the back of the head, and nearly crept over the line as time expired. It was a comical coda to a great second half, and it left the Marauders in an enviable position.
There's more work to do in the near future. Hanover's back on the road on Friday, heading to the foggy moors of Winacunnet High School in Hampton for a 4:00 match on Friday. Several Marauder attacking players are chafing to make their debuts, and this match, approached with the proper professionalism, may provide that chance.
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