Hanover's late-season hot streak continued on Friday with an emphatic 5-1 victory over Dover, giving the Marauders their ninth win in a row and locking down second place in the NHIAA Division One standings. They will host a preliminary round tournament game on Wednesday, with Spaulding High School coming to town for a 6:00 p.m. Senior Night match.
The Marauders dominated Dover, scoring four times in the first 25 minutes and leaving little doubt that they were in top form. Sam Strohbehn started things off with a bang, scoring his 10th goal of the season less than seven minutes into the match. Jake Acker played Sam into the right corner, and Strohbehn spun and made a run to the top of the penalty area, losing his defender and hitting a screaming left-footed drive under the bar that was hit so hard several of the field markings turned pink.
Six minutes later, Asa Berolzheimer was hauled down at the top left corner of the box. As he lined up to take the free kick, a voice came down from the stands at Dunaway Field, "Punish them, Asa!".
Asa nodded briefly and hit a spectacular free kick that sailed into the upper left corner for a 2-0 Hanover lead. The offensive onslaught continued four minutes later, when Jamie Dinulos performed some magic on the left wing, eluding a defender and centering the ball to Acker for an an easy tap-in and his sixth goal of the campaign.
The Usual Suspects (Seth Stadheim, Luke Messersmith, Henry Kahl and Marcus Helble) got into the match at the twenty-minute mark, and it didn't take long for them to make an impact. Messersmith and Asa Berolzheimer connected for some combination play, and Berolzheimer found the space to slide a lateral pass to Henry Kahl, streaking in from the left flank. Kahl, who earlier had grazed with crossbar with a longer shot, deposited the pass for his first career goal. The assist was the 17th of the season for Berolzheimer, tying him for the single-season record he now shares with Ben Mackinnon, who sparked Hanover's 2005 Championship run.
There were other good-looking scoring chances as the half continued, including a bid by Bucket, a header by Stadheim on a corner kick. and a shot from outside the penalty area by Casey Starr that clanged off the crossbar. Hanover outshot Dover by a 15-2 margin, and had a 7-1 edge in corner kicks, most of which were dangerous. Dover had a few looks at goal, but the Marauder defense was equal to the task. A well-constructed wall blocked a dangerous free kick by midfielder Cole Canfiend, who was also snuffed by Connor Edson who came off his line with authority and precision to block a breakaway.
Hanover made a number of substitutions at halftime, and in the eighth minute after the interval the Green Wave pulled a goal back when hulking striker Nolan Laakso won a 50-50 battle for a bouncing ball in the box and drove it into the net. The Marauders remained unfazed, and four minutes later Jonah Levine regained the equilibrium, tucking his third goal of the season into the sort side after a scramble that followed Luke Messersmith's corner kick into the box.
There was a lot to like about the remaining 28 minutes. Hanover continue to press offensively, and got some great looks. Berolzheimer had a great header off a corner kick that barely sailed over the bar. Jamie Dinulos set up Tim Alibozek for a point blank shot that was well-saved by Dover goalkeeper Kieran Lombard. Robbie Murdza was buzzing around the box all afternoon, and barely missed a wonderful centering pass by Griffin Johnson, who gave up a juicy chance to shoot by thinking of his teammate first. That was a good moment.
Hanover had some good moments int he back, as well. Lucas Adams-Blackmore made a number of strong plays from his centerback spot. Senior Jack Pattison played the best soccer of his career at left back. He was strong in the air, made several important tackles, and got forward with confidence. Goalkeeper Patrick Logan made his debut at right back, and did a wonderful job. If he had been clumsy or ineffective, it would have made a joke out of the opportunity. He was, however, skillful and smart, and let the game come to him. It was a good cameo. Next up, Connor?
Unlike last year, there was no convoluted bracketology necessary after the match to sort out what the second season will look like. On the ride home, the Marauders learned that they will be facing the Red Raiders of Spaulding High on Wednesday, and subsequently heard that the match will be played at 6:00 p.m., making Senior Night that much sweeter. Hanover has never played Spaulding in four years of Division One play, so the will come as something of a cipher. They will be decided underdogs with a record of 2-13-1, but also come with the reputation as a classy team with a classy Coach, Exeter High alum Dan Curran. In addition to being Senior Night, the game will also be the final Food Drive for the Haven of the season. Players, parents and fans will be asked to bring non-perishable food items for the Haven's food pantry, which sees a high higher demand at this time of the year. It should be quite a night. Make plans to join us!
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