Hanover played its best soccer of the young season at just the right time, dominating a good Exeter team and earning a satisfying 2-0 win in the home opener at Merriman-Branch Field. First half goals by Jamie Dinulos and Asa Berolzheimer and a stifling defense gave Hanover a well-needed win as they prepared for a showdown next Tuesday with preseason favorite Londonderry.
The familiar surroundings of their home pitch were just what the doctor ordered for the Marauders, who got to work on attacking Exeter right from the start, and enjoyed a one-sided advantage in possession, shots, and corner kicks. Several Hanover attackers had good looks at the goal in the early going, including Jake Acker and Joanh Levine from long range, and Jamie Dinulos, Sam Strohbehn and Seth Stadheim in the goal mouth. Exeter goalkeeper Caden Blazek made one spectacular save on a close-in shot, and Ian Caldwell nearly found the range on a back post header on one of the none corner kicks taken by the Marauders.
Twenty minutes into the match, Hanover broke on top on a great individual effort by Jamie Dinulos, who tallied his third goal of the season after a dazzling run down the left side. The senior striker blew past his defender, cut in front of the goal, and buried a short range shot to give the Marauders a lead they would never relinquish.
Exeter gamely tried to counterattack, but could never establish possession in the Hanover end, thanks to dominating play in the center of the park. Ian Caldwell and Jonah Levin owned every ball in the air, and Asa Berolzheimer's cool field generalship allowed the Marauder to continually cycle and reset their offense. Exeter midfielder Hunter Smith managed to squeeze off a shot while sandwiched between two defenders, but Connor Edson had no trouble making an easy save.
With less than a minute to play, the Marauders connected four straight passes in the Exeter end and took advantage of a great off the ball run by Seth Stadheim to free up junior midfielder Marcus Helble at the top of the box. Helble first a hard ball to the feet of Belolzheimer, who redirected it into the net for a 2-0 lead that would be insurmountable. It was Berolzheimer's fourth goal, and gave him a three-game scoring streak.
Knowing the potential danger of a 2-0 lead, the Marauders started strong in the second half. Timmy Alibozek got loose on a breakaway but Blazek stopped his left-footed bid from ten yards. The Marauders came close a few other times, but what was far more impressive was how well Hanover controlled possession of the ball and kept the tempo high. The back four of Caldwell, Pych, Addison Wanner and Will Smith did a wonderful job changing the point of attack, and staying alert for counter attacks.
Caldwell made the key defensive play of the night for the Marauders, snuffing a close-range shot with a timely tackle in the box. All ball. In the tangle that followed Bucket smooshed poor Connor Edson, who had to leave the game long enough for the reporter to review time-honored euphemisms for being hit below the belt. Patrick Logan, resplendent in canary, popped into the game and made a save on a subsequent shot. Meanwhile, on the bench, a minor miracle: Connor spoke! Many of his teammates had never heard him speak before, and it was kind of unsettling. Sort of like the Tin Man in "Wizard of Oz", although instead of asking for oil, Connor was asking for playing time.
A number of players made strong contributions off the bench to keep the game flowing. Jack Hazard and Casey Starr shone at midfield, and Robbie Murdza was particularly strong up top, making a number of sophisticated runs off the ball.
Hanover now faces a significant challenge in their next match. They travel on Tuesday to play Londonderry, a perennial power that has received a lot of interest in preseason predictions. The Lancers beat Spaulding 11-0 in their only match thus far, and they will be welcoming the Marauders to a field where they have never won. The Marauders will train hard on grass the next few days, and should be ready for their next big test.
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