Five Marauders Receive All-State Honors

The New Hampshire Soccer Coaches Association has announced its 2016 All-State selections, and five Hanover players were named to the team.

Marauder co-Captain Sam Strohbehn was named to the NHSCA Division One Second Team, the second year in a row that he has received this distinction.

Four Hanover players received Honorable Mention:  Seniors Jake Acker and Patrick Logan, Junior Sam Pych, and freshman Charlie Adams.

Commented Coach Rob Grabill, "We're thrilled to have five players recognized.  Only one other Division One team, Exeter, had this many named to the team.  The system favors teams that make it to the Final Four, so this is a real honor."

Strohbehn, Acker and Logan have been invited to participate in the Saturday tryouts for the NH Lions Twin State Cup, the annual senior all-star game against Vermont.  Strohbehn and Logan were named to the Division One All-Star Game this Sunday in Exeter.

Marauders Honored at Soccer Celebration

The Marauder soccer family gathered Wednesday night to celebrate a memorable season.  Every player from each of the four teams was named and honored, with more than 90 players present.  Subvarsity coaches Willie Johnson and Matt Starr (Freshmen), Erik McEwen (Reserves) and Yosef Osheyack  presented a number of individual honors.  Here are the players who received awards:

Freshmen

MVP Award: Noah Pikielny

Golden Boot (most goals): Eli Stack

Most Improved: Carter Auch

Sportsmanship: Antonio Correa

12th Man Award: Judd Alexander

Coaches Award: Joey Perras

Best Goal: Latham Allison- Volley vs. Merrimack to tie it 1-1

Reserves

MVP  Award:     Gabe Loud, Theo Sparks

Most Improved Award:   Sam Lutz, Lucas  Brock

Sportsmanship Award:      Daniel Wilson, Deveon Martin

Offensive Player Award: Tenzing Rumrill, Andrew Enelow

Defensive Player Award:  Avery Wallis, AJ Ristino

Coaches Award:          Harry Olszewski , Henry Bernard

Junior Varsity

Sportsmanship - Alex Purcell

Most Improved - Harris LaRock

Most Valuable Player - Christo Dragnev

Rookie of the year- Blake Palmer

Defender of the Year - Alex Purcell and Kyle Doucette

Offensive Player of the Year – Lincoln Adam

Coaches Award - Colm Seigne

Unsung Hero – Pedro Gallino

Ready to Party; Housing Help Sought

We're looking forward to seeing everyone at the Soccer Celebration Wednesday evening.  We'll start at 6:00 in the HHS gym with the fabulous dessert buffet (it's potluck, and we look forward to your contributions).  We'll then give each Head Coach a chance to speak about their seasons, hand out certificates to every team member, and also recognize a number of individual award winners.

We're making a slight adjustment to the post-dessert program.  We have always enjoyed rushing though the team awards, and made a point of limiting each coach to a microscopic amount of time.  We are changing that a bit this year for two reasons.  First of all, we had a record number of participants in the program, and it's only right to give each player a chance to be recognized.  Secondly, it was an unusually good year for our four teams.  We're not just talking about won-loss records here, although we certainly did well in that respect.  But as you may intuit and will also hear, this was a great year for team chemistry and we want to honor that.

As a result, we'll be shortening the musical end of things.  We look forward to hearing from the soccer-dominated Soarthroats, but we'll be giving our other instrumentalists the night off.  We are also excited  about continuing the tradition of ending the evening with the teaser trailer of our year-end highlight film.  We have previewed the all-goal extravaganza, and it's clear to see why we had a list of more than 10 candidates for Goal of The Year.

Changing the subject, we have a request for you to consider:  One of our Reserve players, an exchange student from Germany, is hoping to prolong his stay in the US and at Hanover High School.  To do that, he needs a host family.  If your family would like to consider opening your home, please lets us know.  He loves to ski, and is looking forward to experiencing winter in the Upper Valley.  Can you help?

Four-Team Celebration Wednesday Night

All four Marauder boys' teams will gather with parents and siblings in the HHS gym this Wednesday to celebrate the end of an amazing season.  We'll start with the annual dessert potluck.  Please bring some sort of dessert (best in a non-returnable container).  Perhaps you'll want to have a light supper before you come, so the dessert buffet will be non-guilty.

After dessert, we'll give each coach the opportunity to present certificates and awards in a breathtakingly short ceremony.  Owing the the large numbers this season, and the success enjoyed by each team, we are expanding the allotted time to 12.5 minutes per team!  That will allow the Freshmen to hear a few more haikus from Coach Willie, and allow Coach Matt Starr to chime in as well.  This will also allow Reserve Coach Erik McEwen to use first AND last names for each of his 30-plus players!

Following the awards, we'll move briskly to the Auditorium to hear a sampling of the musical virtuosity contained in the program.  Expect some surprises!  We should be able to hit the streets sometime close to 8:00 following an evening of fun and celebration.  See you then!

Marauders End Season With 3-2 Loss to Exeter in Playoffs

Hanover's outstanding season ended on Saturday with a hard fought and ultimately heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Exeter in the NHIAA Division One Quarterfinals at rain-soaked Merriman-Branch Field.  The Marauders led 1-0, gave up two quick goals at the end of the first half, and spent the rest of the match battling from behind to come form behind.  Exeter and Hanover traded second half goals, and the loss kept the Marauders from the semifinals for the first time in their five-year tenure in Division One. Hanover's final record was 14-3.

For long stretches, Hanover looked like the better team.  They dominated the first 20 minutes of the match, outshooting Exeter 10-2 and earning an amazing nine corner kicks. Trailing throughout the second half, the Marauders continued to play well for most of the time.  Exeter was talented and opportunistic, however, and took advantage of some defensive lapses with superb shotmaking, earning a home game in the semifinals as they sought to make Coach Jim Tufts' 40th season a memorable one.

Hanover started the game well, wining most of the midfield battles and controlling play for long stretches.  They earned their first corner kick in the seventh minute, and Jake Acker got a header on goal from his favorite spot at the far post.  Casey Starr's lead pass to Henry Kahl earned another goo look, and 12 minute into the match Acker hit a hard shot from long distance that forced Exeter goalkeeper Caden Blazek to make a good save.  Three minutes later, Acker got open again on a corner, but missed connecting on a shot that dribbled wide of the post.

The corner kicks kept coming, and 16 minutes into the game, the Marauders opened the scoring on a play following a corner.  Charlie Adam's serve missed connecting with Will Smith in the box, but a well-positioned Griffin Johnson collected the ball on the right flank and immediately fed it into the corner for Jake Acker, who chased it down and made a stupendous cross with his off foot from the corner arc that went perfectly to the far post, six yards out.  Blazek came off his line to punch the ball away, just as Sam Strohbehn closed on him, with his momentum taking him into the next.  The ball went straight to David Seigne, whose well-timed late run put positioned him perfectly positioned for a driven header inside the post for a 1-0 lead.

Hanover continued to dominate. Two minutes after the goal, Will Smith collected a clearing pass 30 yards out and launched a lefty laser that shrieked past the upper left corner, missing the goal by less than a foot. Less than a minute later Sam Strohbehn, a dominant force at midfield all game, fed Seigne in the corner, who launched a centering worm-burning centering pass that eluded Blazek at the near post but went harmlessly through the box. A minute later Strohbehn's long lead pass just missed springing Adams for a breakaway.

Hanover kept hammering.  Strohbehn narrowly missed connecting on a near post run on corner kick number #6.   Corner kick number seven two minutes later screamed through the box, but never found a runner.    Less than a minute later, Acker was WIDE open at the far post on corner kick eight as Exeter Coach Tufts moaned his disapproval from the sidelines.  With 15 minutes to go in the half, Exeter had done nothing offensively.  Finally, Hawk Striker Jack Guida broke loose on a run to goal, but he was soon surrounded by a swarm of tacklers.

With ten minutes left, the Hawks woke up a bit more.  Guida headed a harmless ball over the bar from 12 yards out, and then Exeter earned their first corner of the match after a good tackle by Adam Pikielny on Josh Rubin at the far post.  The dangerous Quinn Mantegari got the ball on a good near post run, but Will Smith was there to block his shot.

Even after that flurry, Hanover continued to press. Charlie Adams hit a long through ball to Henry Kahl, who nearly connected with Casey Starr with another long through ball, and then corner kick number ten -   Ten!  -  produced several dangerous crosses through the Exeter box.  With the clock winding down toward two minutes the Marauders were given a free kick 30 yards from the Exeter goal, and Strohbehn's shot on goal was easily saved by Blazek.  38 minutes had been played, and Hanover looked ready to run away with the game.

Blazek punted the ball to midfield, and the Marauders missed two chances to control it.  The ball fell to midfielder Ian McAleer, who lofted a first-time pass the a breaking Mantegari, who won a stride for stride battle with Sam Pitch and ripped a left-footed shot from close range past Pat Logan to tie the game.    The Marauders were shaken, but almost immediately got the ball into the Exeter end and earned a free kick.  Henry Kahl's serve was perfect, and Sam Strohbehn got to the ball on his near post run and headed it toward to the corner, only to be saved by Blazek with a reflexive kick save.

One the ensuing goal kick, the Marauders once again had the ball elude them on missed headers, and Jacob Gould fed a streaking Chris Scamman, who was wide open in the right side.  Scamman drove in the penalty area, eluded a tackle, and drove a pass to Rubin at the far post.  Rubin cooly one-timed a ball back to the six, and superb midfielder Hunter Smith made no mistake with his finish.  Fifteen seconds and one last Hanover corner kick later, and the half ended with the Marauders trailing 2-1.

Having trailed several times during the season, and Marauders didn't panic, and after five perfunctory minutes of the second, Hanover nearly tied the game.  Will Smith collected a clearing pass on the left flank and his a right-footed cross that found Griffin Johnson right in front.  Johnson took a tough and then hit a shot over the top, just over an onrushing Blazek. The next five minutes were all Hanover. Strohbehn, who was masterful at winning balls, beating defenders, and always finding the right time to pass, ripped a hard shot from the edge of the box that was saved by Blazek.

Then, against the run of play, Exeter scored a third time.  A ball was played into a soft spot behind the Marauder midfielders and in front of the back four, and it was collected by Hunter Smith, whose chipped pass eluded Pych's attempt to head it and found Mantegari, who was covered, but not enough to prevent him from finding the side netting inside the left post.  Once again, Exeter had punished a brief opening with superb play, and they led 3-1.

Impressively, Hanover refused to panic or fold.  Led by Strohbehn, they continued to play good soccer, and patiently pushed for the first goal that they needed, not worrying about a second.  They earned  a corner kick, and Liam Collins' superb serve found Will Smith's head in the box.  The ball popped high, but as it came down it eluded Blazek and was headed under the crossbar when it was clearly handled by Jake Gould.  (One of the reasons for the delay in this account of the game was for the chance to see the game film and the photo by Lars Blackmore, which clearly shows that ball being learned out of the goal by Gould's upraised hand.)  Hanover kept playing, and Sam Strohbehn nearly hit the rebound back into the goal for the second time on the same play.

Hanover kept playing, and kept pushing.  As Exeter retreated increasingly into their end, Hanover brought out their long-range cannon, feeding the Hawk clearing passes back to Pat Logan, whose long serves kept Exeter under continuous pressure. As the clock wound under five minutes, Griffin Johnson hit a long cross from the right and once again David Seigne was in the right place at the far post, hitting a volley that forced Blazek to make a spectacular kick save. As the clock wound under four minutes, Will Smith hit a long ball into the box.  Blazek came out to punch it away, pressured by Johnson, and the ball fell to the feet of Adam Pikielny, who calmly volleyed it into the next for his first career goal.

Hanover had crawled back into the match, but time and their luck ran out, and the season was over. Gutted, the Marauders nevertheless had the class and maturity to congratulate the elated Hawks, headed home to Bill Ball stadium for the semifinals, and a match with Timberlane.  Hanover heads home, too, and when the sadness dies a bit they will be able to look back on a stellar season full of highlight-reel moments and some significant victories.

The Marauders will graduate sixteen seniors, who led this team in every respect. There were players who played less in this final game, or not at all, but who played a lot this season, and more than usual.  Some of them were the team's most improved players.  They will be sorely missed.  There are also a number of talented underclassmen, and their time will come next season.  It's too soon to speculate on that, but this blog won't take being dormant well, and will be heard from.

There were many reasons for Hanover's success this year.  The players prepared well for many months prior to the season, and worked hard throughout it.  They were supported by  a phalanx of parents whose contributions to the program are too numerous to mention, but which unquestionably made the Marauders better.  Finally, and significantly, Hanover had an amazing collection of coaches.
Cerebral soccer Zen Master Brett Wanner, Technical Guru Eric Jayne, apple-cheeked and apple crunching, and Goalie God Toby Niles, whose influence made Hanover a defensive power. During tournament time, the staff swelled with the inclusion of Yosef Osheyack and Willie Johnson, and they also chipped in importantly.

There are celebrations yet to come, most notably the Four Team Celebration on November 9th.  You won't want to miss the music recital!  It's been a week since we posted here, but we hope many of you have stayed patient and kept looking.  There is more to come before we close the books.  Thanks to all for being part of this program.

Freshmen Finish With Successful Scrimmage

The boys had their last gathering in freshmen uniforms Monday afternoon, with the temperature dropping all the way until the final whistle. Highlights included Will Blinkhorn’s first goal, a second half first timer from defensemen Ethan Ross, another first time goal from the irrepressible Nick Kim, and another one of the many goals this season from Latham Allison, along with some practice PKs to give the girls some game condition practicing heading into their playoffs that start Thursday.

The final score was 4 – 0, as the HHS girls had a little trouble with our team speed.

It’s been a great season. These guys have shown a great blend of desire to better themselves, while being freshmen and enjoying it. Trying your best and having fun playing sports; that’s the balance, that’s the goal.

All soccer gear from the school should be laundered, folded, bagged and labeled with the player’s name, and turned in to Coach Grabill in the HHS Gym during Activity Period on Wednesday. Thanks in advance.

Three more years!

Reserves Defeat Cardigan 4-2 to Finish Season 12-3-1

All's well that ends well.  What would start with a substantial defeat at home field on an idyllic August afternoon would end with a victory on away pitch against a perennial victor in simply miserable conditions.  

  The game began as the temperature dropped and the rain increased. The term warm-up seemed ironic in this weather.  Hanover and Cardigan soon showed they came to play, though. Cardigan proved they were a still a strong squad with skill and good ball movement under the direction of former Hanover Coach Rob Edson. They managed to get the first goal on a shot that just found the inside post and bounced in.   Hanover stayed in it, though, and the perpetually attacking Andrew Enelow attained possession and made an assist to Alec McDevitt keenly lurking on the right flank, who made a smart run to the far post and finished.  The first half would show no real advantage to either team.  Hanover's defense kept Cardigan at bay, and its deep bench continued to press with good play from all 27 players including Chris Lee, Caleb Calloway, James Roth, and Oliver Minshall who just missed the goal outside the post from shot inside the eighteen.   The score would remain tied for the half thanks in part due to formidable wall on a free kick that included Alex Roth taking a hard shot to the gut. This earned him the respect of his teammates such that his name would would be included in the cheer coming out at half-time.

  The second half started off rocky with sequence of events that resulted in a Cardigan goal.  A missed pass, and a mistaken assumption of stoppage of play led to the defense and keeper letting up which Cardigan capitalized on and scored.  Hanover remained undaunted and played on.  As the game wore on, this pressure would lead to a foul at the top of the box.  Theo Sparks was chosen to take the kick.  Realizing he had some room to work with, he made a clinical chip over the wall and keeper just under the net and out of reach of the keeper.   This opportunity would once again present itself even further way from the goal, and with ice in his veins, Theo executed a perfect chip for the lead.   Even though Hanover had the lead, the game was far from over.  Cardigan continued their attack forcing Eric Seltzer, who after standing for almost a hour and half in what could be considered ideal hypothermic conditions had just enough feeling in his hands to make the critical grabs.   With four minutes remaining, all the seniors: Aidan Connolly, Wilson Rimberg, Avery Wallis, Daniel Wilson, Dimitri Somoff, Harry Olszewski, and Tenzing Rumrill with a supporting cast of other classes including Mal Flynn, Ian Surat-Mosher, and Theo took to the field to take the win home.  This would be cemented from a goal from two Reserve veterans  Aidan Connolly and Tenzing Rumrill.  Aidan won possession of a loose ball on the left flank and made a great thru ball for Tenzing to run onto.  Tenzing with the maturity of a finisher realized his quickest and best opening would have to come from his left foot, uncorked the final goal of the season into into the corner of the net.   

   Even though not all the players were mentioned in this post, it was a pleasure coaching all of them this season and see them go from a group of players and sometime strangers to a unified team standing triumphant on the cold, muddy pitch that Saturday afternoon.  

- Coach McEwen