Hanover celebrated Homecoming in fine fashion Friday under the lights, rallying to defeat Manchester Memorial in overtime 2-1 on a golden goal by Charlie Adams. It was the second overtime win in a row for the Marauders, who have now won seven games in a row to push their record to 11-1, setting up a Tuesday showdown with top-ranked Timberlane.
The match with Memorial was billed as a battle of playoff contenders, and it didn't disappoint. Played in front of a large, enthusiastic crowd (who contributed a LOT of food for the Haven), the game was hotly-contested and physical, and featured back and forth action. Memorial scored first and pushed the Hanover defense as hard as any opponent all season. Hanover's response was to play some of their best soccer of the season, as they patiently played their way back in the match, knocking on the door several times in the first half, and then pressing hard throughout the rest of the game until they were rewarded with a spectacular goal to decide things.
Memorial broke on top in the 10th minute of the match, after a Crusader corner kick had been cleared. The ball was in a scrum 35 yards from the Hanover goal, and Memorial striker Rodrigo Rodriguez controlled it and fired a quick, hard, accurate shot that surprised Pat Logan in goal and found its way inside the far post. Hanover responded by carefully establishing control of the game at midfield, led by Sam Strohbehn and Jake Acker. Ten minutes after Memorial's goal. Acker hit a hard shot that barely missed the post, and the impact was palpable on the Hanover bench: "Phew! We're going to be ok!" Five minutes later a long throw from the left corner by Will Smith filtered through the box and found Marcus Helble, whose soft volley was on target but scooped up by Crusader goalie Connor Page. Smith's next long throw found David Seigne stationed off the near post, and his header almost snuck in the near corner before Page hustled over and grabbed it. With ten minutes to go in the half Strohbehn brought the crowd to its feel with a wicked drive from the edge of the penalty area that clanged off the right upright.
The Marauders broke through to tie the match with five minutes left. Henry Kahl found room on the right baseline and fed the ball to Charlie Adams in front. Adams shoveled the ball to Luke Messersmith, closing from the left side, and the lanky senior hit paydirt for his second goal in two games and third in five. He's heating up. A minute later it was almost 2-0 when a long cross fro Casey Starr on the left flank eluded Henry Kahl at the right post.
Predictably, the Marauders started the second half with their hair on fire. There were several scrambles in front of the Memorial goal, and after the second one of these Casey Starr emerged to drive the ball just past the right post. Shortly there was another, even crazier scramble, but no one could get a final touch. Memorial's offense had been quiet since their goal, but they began establishing themselves, and Logan was forced to make a good save on a long, high free kick.
Hanover's pressure resulted on let another melee in front of the Memorial goal, with Acker and Charlie Adams both hitting good shots that were somehow saved.
The Marauders were calm heading into overtime, and got right to work in the Memorial end. A cross from the left corner just missed connecting with Kahl at the right post, and then near disaster. Memorial counterattacked with skill and precision into the Hanover end, and three quick passes isolated Crusader Captain Jordan Tremblay alone in front of the Marauder goal. Tremblay's low, hard shot was somehow saved by a diving Patrick Logan, who held it with no rebound. This was the save of the year, and it turned the game around. Shortly afterwards, Sam Strohbehn made a dazzling solo run through midfield, toasting two defenders, and penetrating to the edge of the box before sliding a pass into space for David Seigne. The hard-working senior used speed and skill to get past the defender, and squared a ball into the box for Charlie Adams, who received it and swiftly tucked it into the goal for the win. It was the seventh goal of the season for Adams, and his second game-winner.
This was a total team win for Hanover, and took them to another level. Faced with a significant challenge, they mustered composure and creativity, and earned the sort of win comes only one or twice a season if you're lucky. Bigger challenges await. On Tuesday, the Marauders take to the highway to play Timberlane, 12-1 on the season and alone in first place. Hanover beat the Owls 2-0 in Plaistow last season, but this year's version is more experienced, more confident, and according to scouting reports, harder working. It will come at a perfect time for the Marauders, who believe in themselves and understand that they are capable of greatness. It's October. It's time to get serious.
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