Varsity Loses First at Essex, 1-0; JV1 Ties 0-0

The Varsity and JV1 teams made the trek to Essex for the second time in three days to take on one of the best programs in Vermont, and for the second time both teams rose to the occasion and played very well.  The JV1 team played its best soccer of the season, drawing Essex 0-0.  Hanover had an edge in play and just missed connecting on point blank shots.  The Hanover defense was airtight in front of goalkeepers Wyatt Seelig and Christian Blix.  It was notable that at the end of regulation, Hanover was eager to play more soccer, and Essex made it clear that they wanted no more.

The Varsity battled Essex, ranked as the top team in the state, on even terms.  After a scoreless first half, Essex scored the only goal of the game in a scramble in front of the net in the 65th minute.  Hanover pressed hard over the final 25 minutes, and had several chances to score before time ran out.  Ty Nolon was superb in goal for Hanover, making several sensational saves, and safely handling more than a few dangerous crosses and corner kicks with sure hands.  Now 4-1-1, Hanover will travel to Nashua on Monday to play Nashua North.

The game started well for Hanover, who established a territorial edge for the first 10 minutes, threatening on a corner kick.  Five minutes into the match, Oscar Miller was in a scramble in the box and almost came away with a goal.  Ten minutes into the match, Essex subbed seven players, and continued throughout the game subbing large numbers every 10 minutes.  It's a style of play that we haven't seen at this level.  Essex was largely physical and aggressive, but Hanover refused to be knocked around, and continued to hold their own at midfield.

Fifteen minutes into the match, Oscar won a battle for the ball with the Essex goalkeeper just over midfield, and spun quickly to hit a long shot at the vacated goal which rolled wide to the right.  Shortly afterwards, Hanover got a boost when Ryder Hayes entered the game, his first action since preseason after carefully rehabbing from a concussion.  A minute after he entered, he hit a long shot that missed the target but signaled to everyone that he was back. Essex was a dangerous team, and got a great shot on goal at the 17 minute mark byJoel Marquart that forced a great diving save by Ty Nolon, flying to his left to push the ball wide.  

Carter Guerin continued to be a threat for Hanover, getting two good looks as the first half waned.  Ty Nolon continued to shine in the defensive end, capably handling a corner kick in traffic, and tipping a threatening free kick away.

The second half was a carbon copy of the first.  Hanover got off to a good start, with Murphy Hunt and Oscar both getting good looks.  Murphy's shot was saved by Hornet goalkeeper Andrew Seavers, and Oscar's flicked-on header on a free kick was also handled.  Essex continued to sub like it was a hockey match, and foul repeatedly.  The final margin of fouls was 18-8, and the challenge for the overmatched officials was never being able to call everything. It's a known strategy, and it's not soccer.

Hanover was enjoying an edge in play and in offensive chances, but on one of the Essex trips in the their attacking end, they forced the ball into the box, and in the ensuing scramble, Nolon made a miraculous point blank save before Shaka Mitra headed the rebound into the goal for a 1-0 lead.  Hanover stayed composed, and created a number of good chances with time winding down.  Becket McCurdy barely missed connecting with an Eric Ringer corner kick, and with seconds remaining Carter Guerin hit a shot that was all but in, deflected by a sliding defender.

It was a tough loss to stomach, and it remains to be see whether playing these two tough Vermont matches will help or hurt Hanover.  There are lessons to be learned, but first they will need to regroup in short order to take on a very strong Nashua South team in Stellos Stadium on Monday.  The Purple Panthers served notice Saturday by beating Manchester Central 1-0. They are 5-0, and eager to make their mark.  Hanover is banged up, and will be tested once more.  The good news is that so many of them stepped up over the weekend, showing skill and composure. Stay tuned Monday might for a final analysis.



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