More Heat, More Fire: Marauders Dominate at Camp

Remember these dog days of August next November, when you are shivering in the stands and watching the Marauders play on some patch of frozen field turf.  No doubt the Marauders will be well prepared for the cold and the artificial surface, but it will be worth remembering that their steel was forged and tempered in the blast ovens at Windridge.  Playing their fourth and fifth games in a 48-hour stretch,  Hanover dominated two more opponents and emerged from their camp sojourn with a 4-0 record against some of the better teams in Vermont.

Hanover had several advantages in today's games against Montpelier and Essex:  they had a deeper roster, the were more skillful, and they were fitter.  The Marauders employed all of these in blanking Montpelier 4-0 and then defeating a highly-regarded Essex team 3-0.    The morning match against Montpelier was methodical and one-sided, featuring a highlight goal by Tim Alibozek, who went upper ninety with a left footed drive from the top of the box.  Patrick Logan earned the clean sheet in goal.  The afternoon match was played in searing heat.  With several senior starters sidelined with minor injuries, it was Hanover's newly-promoted players who did the damage.  After a scoreless first half, Dan "D1" Healy ghosted in at the back post to give Hanover a 1-0 lead.  Robbie Murdza culminated his best two days of soccer ever by being in the right place at the right time to double Hanover's advantage.  Sam Strohbehn then put the icing on the cake with an absolutely filthy free kick, bending his delivery from 25 meters around the wall, off the back post, and in. 

Hanover and Essex typified the sort of camaraderie that is possible at Windridge.  The two teams sat together on the steep steps of the Soccer Mansion overlooking the field, coaches constantly chatting and players renewing old Super Y friendships and forming new ones.  In the meantime, they played a hard-fought game without referees, making all of their own calls and honoring the game in every way.

After the game, Coach Grabill observed that there were ten players from last year's JV team who contributed significantly to the victory.  He noted that Coach Callanan would have been amazingly proud of these young men, who certainly honored his memory.

It's back to business tomorrow for all Hanover players. The Varsity group that was at Windridge will train at the turf from 2:30 - 4:00. All other players will train at the Pasture from 10:00 - 11:30.  The JV and Freshman rosters for the weekend games will be announced on the Blog Thursday evening.