Hanover capped a long week of travel with a satisfying 2-0 victory over a strong, feisty Timberlane team on Friday. Tim Alibozek scored once in each half to lead the offense, and a suffocating team defense kept the Owls at bay and allowed the Marauders to win their seventh game in a row and solidify their hold on second place in NHIAA Division One with an 11-2-1 record.
Timberlane entered the game with a 10-3 record and quality wins over Exeter and Central. They pushed Hanover hard in the first half, and nearly scored in the early going when speedy forward Christian Allaire flashed into the Hanover box and barely missed wide of the right post. Another scramble in the Hanover penalty area was dangerous, but Ian Caldwell, a tower of strength on the backline all afternoon, managed to clear a loose ball.
Hanover had a few chances during a half that featured back and forth play, but not many good scoring chances. Midway through the half, Asa Berolzheimer got loose on the right baseline and sent a ball across to Sam Strohbehn, whose shot from close range missed the net. With both teams seemingly heading for a scoreless draw at the half, the Marauders took advantage of a loose ball in the box and scored the only goal they would need. Sam Strohbehn's corner kick sailed across the face of the Timberlane goal, and in the ensuing scramble Will Smith got possession and slid the ball to Alibozek, who eased the ball over the line at close range.
Confident that they would exercise their customary second half dominance, the Marauders started strongly, and doubled their lead 5:22 after the interval. Jamie Dinulos, a threat on the left flank all afternoon, broke loose toward the endline and hit a long, high cross that just eluded the leap of Timberlane goalkeeper Matthew Salois. Alibozek was in the right place at the right time, and slotted the loose ball at the far post for an unsurmountable 2-0 lead.
The next 35 minutes featured a dominating performance by the Marauders, who controlled the midfield, kept Timberlane's attack completely at bay, and pressured the Owls in their end, nearly scoring several goals. Midway through the half Jamie Dinulos was dragged down in the box and Hanover was awarded a penalty kick. Asa Berolzheimer stepped up to take the kick, but his attempt clanged off the inside of the right upright, ran back across the goal line, and the lead stayed at two.
Berolzheimer also lofted a header just over the goal on a corner kick, and Jonah Levine also had a near miss.
When Hanover went to the bench, they Marauders got great play from Seth Stadheim, Luke Messersmith, Henry Kahl and Marcus Helble, all of who continue to apply the pressure on a tiring
Timberlane defense. When Dinulos returned with ten minutes remaining, he was on the receiving end of a wonderful lead pass from Berolzheimer, but was unable to convert from close range.
The game was hard-fought, and the control of the game slowly devolved from "letting them play" to chippy. Hanover did a good job maintaining composure, though, and demonstrated both mental and physical toughness. Ian Caldwell was particularly strong, leading by both word and deed. Bucket looks ready to take it to another level as the days get shorter and the games get more important, and his mates on the back line all acquitted themselves well. Connor Edson also had an excellent late-season look to his game in goal, handling the ball well and controlling his box. He had an absolutely dope play of a free kick into the box, diving into the teeth of the onrushing Owl forwards to punch the ball clear.
Hanover will take two days off to rest, study, and dabble in some public service work this weekend, and then return to the turf on Monday to train for Tuesday's home game with Alvirne. The Marauders will have no trouble finding motivation for that crew,
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