Kennett Summary

HANOVER BOYS BEAT KENNETT 4-0 TO STRETCH STREAK

The Hanover High boys tuned up for their stretch run to the Class I playoffs with a 4-0 victory over Kennett which featured a dazzling display of offense and flawless midfield defense which prevented the hosts from attempting a single shot at goal. Seniors Henry Caldwell and Ben Rimmer led the charge offensively, with Caldwell collecting two goals and an assist, and Rimmer adding to his team lead with his ninth goal and eighth assist. Now 12-0-1 on the season, the Marauders stretched their unbeaten streak to 40 games.

The expansive new field at Kennett suited Hanover’s attacking frame of mind perfectly, and the Marauders wasted little time getting started. With less than two minutes elapsed, Ben Rimmer made a nice run to the baseline and centered the ball to Caldwell for an easy tap-in and a 1-0 lead. Caldwell and Yosef Osheyack led a withering attack on the Kennett net, abetted by Rimmer, Kevin Dade and Oscar Eriksson. All ten field players participated in a display of ball control which kept the ball completely out of their end for long stretches. After several near misses and more than a few good saves by embattled Eagle goalkeeper Sam Burroughs, Caldwell took a pass from Dade and worked free for his fifth shot of the day, collecting his second goal. He and the other attacking players retired to the bench and watched the reserves continue the onslaught.

Ben Harris took over for Trevor Barlowe, who had returned successfully to the lineup after a few games off with a sore knee, and hit several exploratory long-range shots. He was flanked by midfielders Lou Gemunden and Andrew Holzberger, and subsequently Roland Stanzel-Hermann, who collected his first career assist when he won a ball and fed it to Isaiah Fariel, whose hard shot from the edge of the box eluded Burroughs. It was the fifth goal of the season for the freshman striker.

If Hanover’s offense in the first half was smooth and efficient, it was nothing less than dazzling in the second half. The Marauders moved the ball with lightning speed, used the whole field, and demonstrated an impressive knowledge of their teammates’ whereabouts. Kennett goalkeeper Burroughs was spectacular, recording 12 saves and handling the ball on crosses and through balls at least that many times. Ben Rimmer collected the only goal of the half after a scintillating run by Henry Caldwell to set up his point-blank blast, and then the reserves took over at every position. Rhys Cyrus continued his quest for his first career goal, but never did so at the expense of the integrity of the game or the flow of the play. He and Holzberger had a good thing going on the right flank, and Hayden Pressey-Murray and Chris Jayne were equally strong on the left. Matt Barth had his best game of the campaign at right back, and center backs Joe Carey and Jake Harris (yes, Jake Harris) continued to control the play at midfield. Stefan Dyroff only touched the ball twice, and was not required to make a single save in collecting his third shutout of the season, and Hanover’s ninth.

Having played nine of thirteen games on the road, the Marauders now return to the Upper Valley for their final three regular season games, beginning with Saturday’s match at Lebanon. The Raiders are in the hunt for a first-round home game, and are eager to reverse their 1-0 loss to Hanover 10 days ago. Both boys and girls teams from both school will be collecting food donations once again, this time for the LISTEN center, and hope that everyone attending Saturday’s games will contribute as much as possible. Next week the Marauders will return to Merriman-Branch Field for a showdown against third-place Laconia on Tuesday the 21st, and the season finale against playoff-bond Merrimack Valley on the 23rd.

“We’re pleased that we are playing some of our best soccer at just the right time,” commented Coach Rob Grabill. “It’s also exciting that we will have every player back from injury for the first time since the opening game. With Gunnar Shaw and Eric Jayne available, we have a great deal of flexibility, and we will employ all of our resources to good advantage. We are delighted to finish the season with three challenging matches, and expect that this will bring out the best we have, and take us to an even higher level of play. It’s the best time of the year for Hanover soccer.”