Hanover took care of business against a young Nashua North team Wednesday, beating the Titans 7-1 for their fourth win in a row. Sam Strohbehn scored a hat trick and Seth Stadheim tallied a pair, as the Marauders improved their record to 8-2-1. Several starters took the opportunity to sit out and rest up for Saturday's showdown with Pinkerton. There was playing time aplenty for Team Yellow, and the reserves acquitted themselves superbly.
It didn't take Hanover long to get started. With less than two minutes elapsed in the game, Sam Strohbehn latched onto a ball that had deflected off of a defender, and lashed a shot off the upright and into the back of the net. Nashua North tied the contest five minutes later when a ball glanced off
a Marauder defender's hand in the box, and the Titans were rewarded with a penalty kick. North goalkeeper Brett LeBlanc converted the kick to tie the match at 1-1. It was their only shot on goal for the entire match.
The Marauders were unfazed, and went back ahead two minutes later. Tim Alibozek played a deft through ball to Strohbehn, who finished bravely in the face of an onrushing LeBlanc, and order was restored. Midway through the half, the Marauders executed a perfect corner kick. Asa Berolzheimer hit a far-post that was headed home at the far post by Seth Stadheim. Fifteen minutes later, Stadheim scored his second of the day and fifth of the year, tapping in a nice cross by Griffin Johnson, who earned his first assist of his career.
The Marauders did well on defense throughout the half with a help of Lucas Blackmore, who made his first career start in place of Ian Caldwell. Jack Hazard made his third straight start at holding center midfield, and was calm and efficient. Jack Pattison got a lot of quality time at left back, and played well both offensively and defensively.
Strohbehn got the second half started with a bang, notching his third goal of the afternoon and seventh of the season, converting a pass from Jamie Dinulos, who made a dynamic run through several defenders before unselfishly dishing to Sam. Dinulos got on the scoreboard ten minutes later, taking a great pass from Asa Berolzheimer and hitting a superb shot that hit the side netting. The goal was the seventh of the season by Dinulos, and the 12th assist of the campaign by Berolzheimer.
Tim Alibozek, seeking is elusive second goal of the season, hit a wonderful shot that was headed to the corner, only to be denied by LeBlanc, a very competent goalkeeper. Marcus Helble buzzed a shot over the crossbar from the top of the penalty area, but then got on the board with a nice assist on Hanover's final goal of the game, scored by Robbie Murdza. Helble put him through, and after his initial shot was saved by the hard-working LeBlanc, Murdza chased the rebound to the goal line and pushed it over for his third goal of the season.
Making an expected win look routine is harder that it looks, and Hanover played well all afternoon. Now a bigger challenge looms on Saturday. Defending champion Pinkerton Academy comes to town for a 10:00 a..m match. The Astros got off to a tough start, but have righted the ship with two one-sided wins in their last two games. They scored two goal late in the game to tie Bedford, and lost by a goal to both Londonderry and Central. They will be highly motivated to proved that they are starting to round into form, and are ready for tournament play. They will be hungry for a signature win.
"These are the games that we want to be playing," commented Coach Grabill. "Pinkerton is hard-working, athletic and well-coached. We will have to play our best to won, and that's the sort of challenge that we need at this time of year."
No comments:
Post a Comment