The last time Hanover traveled to Merrimack for a match, it was during their 2013 undefeated season, a year in which they allowed only five goals in 19 games. Two of those goals came in a 4-2 win against Merrimack on a dreary Budweiser plant pitch. Imagine their delight, then, at being able to play this year's match against the Tomahawks on a wide, spotless GPS pitch. The Marauders took full advantage of the friendly playing surface and scored twice in each half to beat Merrimack 4-0 and record their third straight shutout in the process.
Taking advantage of the 80 meter width, the Marauders were able to spread the Merrimack defense and penetrate several times in the early going. Six minutes into the match starting midfielder Charlie Adams slithered through a gap in the Tomahawk back line and went baseline, sending a sweet pas into the path of Casey Starr, who somehow found a way to elevate his close-in shot over the bar. Two minutes later a similar play on the right flank gave the Marauders the only goal they would need. Henry Kahl beat a defender, took the ball to the endline, and hit a laser across the face of the goal where Luke Messersmith tucked it in to open his account for the season.
The Marauders earned several corner kicks in the early going, and a few minutes after Messersmith's goal Will Smith got onto the end of a corner into the box and had his shot cleared off the line. Two minutes later Jake Acker made a great run through the defense on the left side and sent a ball to Kahl who put his sitter over the top. The Marauders continued to dominate territorially, eventually outshooting their hosts 12-0. As the half closed, Marcus Helble came close to giving the Marauders their second goal, hitting a shot from the top of the 18 that was tipped over the bar by Marrimack goalkeeper Ryan Gonzalez. Happily for Hanover, they got the 2-0 lead they craved before the half ended. Henry Kahl made a great run down the left side and penetrated to the edge of the box, hitting an early ball to Starr, who moved to his right across the top of the box and ripped a shot into the upper right corner where the spiders live.
Hanover's defense had their clumsy moments during the opening half, but they were proficient enough to deny Marrimack any official shots on goal. Patrick Logan nevertheless impacted the game with his kicking game, and once came off his line with authority to punch a ball clear on a free kick served into the box.
The Marauder defense continued to stile Merrimack in the second half, and Hanover's attack resumed asking questions. Charlie Adams didn't collected any points, but he continued to contribute. Seven minutes after the interval, he was tripped on the edge of the box after beating a defender, and Kahl hit an impressive free kick past the Tomahawk wall and into the far corner for a 3-0 advantage.
As the game continued and the reserves began their procession off of the bench and into the fray, Hanover's continuity never faltered. Liam Collins made a nice run on the left flank and played a dangerous shot/cross past the far post. Ben Sobel once again found his way into the box and came close to getting a dangerous shot on goal. With 15 minutes to play, Bauti Gallino took advantage of a misplay by Merrimack's second goalkeeper, who wandered far off his line trying to do his Neuer thing, and never connected with the ball. Gallino got to the loose ball first and slowly rolled a long ball into the vacated goal for his second score in as many games.
The win gave Hanover a 7-1 record midway through the regular season, and put them back at the top of the Division One standings, a spot they share with Concord, Bedford and Timberlane. All of those teams will be playing each other in the weeks to come, with 7-2 Exeter also in that round robin. The Marauders have a week off and then travel to Nashua to face Bishop Guertin.
"We're making progress with every game," commented Coach Grabill. Today's game wasn't a work of art, but we took care of business, and there were some nice moments. "The bar's getting higher for us in the near future, and we need a big week of work to stay on target."
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