Arriving with just ten minutes before the scheduled kick off, the freshman team scrambled off the bus and immediately on to the choppy turf of the Joppa Hill fields. They took their Brazil touches and ran the width of the field before being beckoned to the players meeting. Play was tight to start with both teams having a chess match of possession in the middle third of the field with neither gaining great advantage. The back four of Jordan Gottlieb, Ethan Ross, Noah Pikielny, and Carl Gemunden were able to set an early offsides trap that kept the Bedford strikers hesitant to try to break free. Meanwhile the freshman Marauders played the ball down the flanks to the likes of Peter Burnham, Patrick Osborn, Eli Bush, Quincy McBride, Nolan Gantrish and Nick Kim but found every ball played into the mixer cleared by the tough Bulldog defense. Carter Auch collected several high flying balls into the eighteen with ease and showed his sure handedness. Latham Allison would have Hanover's best scoring chance of the half putting a hard ground shot that was bouncing on frame that Bedford keeper had to put a body on to save. Bedford would not be with out their own chance of the half. Their captain center midfielder would drive one hard grazing off on of our own about twenty yards out that hit the outside of the left 90 of the post and cross bar. Their ensuing corner was steered clear. Judd Alexander would take several free kicks near half that would enter a dangerous area but were continually steered clear. Joey Perras and Gray Messersmith played well together up top and nearly sprang Gray free on through ball but had a bit too much pace and rolled harmlessly to the keeper. Perras also had a free kick after a dangerous tackle from a bull dog about 25 yards that went wide of the wall to be collected by the keeper.
The second half was filled with intensity as play ramped up as both teams looked to try to collect a win to take the school series after the varsity and junior varsity teams had split the first two. Hanover seemed to have greater control in the second half and was able to advance the play into the attacking third for much of it. Will Blinkhorn flashed his skill and determination early in the half. He was able to play Osborn down to the corner on meg that had the defender wondering where the ball had gone. Despite the hard press of Eli Stack, Toño Correra, and Gantrish, Hanover could not break through the strong bull dog defense. The Marauders would be robbed of a chance when Nick Kim would be tripped entering the 18 while the nearside official made no call (despite brining his whistle to his lips). Blinkhorn nearly sprung Bush on goal later as he made a diagonal run but had the ball just played behind him. Bedford mounted a couple strong counter attacks but was able to withhold a goal as Auch dove on two and had two crosses too deep sail over the net harmlessly for goal kicks. Perras would have another brilliant chance as he lined one up on the eighteen that was low and hard but the keeper was there to gather it. Nearing the end David Stoffel would put on crack on frame that the keeper was able to slide over and get. In the end both teams played excellent soccer but could not get in the books with a notch. Following the game both referees agreed that this was the best soccer they had seen all season long, even better than some JV and varsity games they had done. The freshman having played their third straight road game will now have a home stand for the next four starting with the ever tough Cardigan Mountain varsity program.
Rest well,
Willie
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